One area in which we receive lots of questions is the area involving student discipline. We thought wed put together this list of tips for you so that youll know what the law and your contract says about disciplining students:

You have the right to exclude disruptive students from your classroom for up to two days for each disruptive event. The purpose of this law is for you to have a tool to protect the learning environment for the other students in your class. Under the law, you must have tried other interventions first (except for emergency situations), but those interventions could have occurred on prior days. The student cannot be returned to your class without your permission, or until you and your administrator have met to discuss how to deal with the behavior. When you use this tool, be sure to inform your principal that you are exercising the two-day exclusion law so that its clearly understood what youre doing. (RCW 28A.600.020).

You must be notified of students who have exhibited or have a history of, violent or threatening behavior. These students must be identified to the students assigned staff and to other staff members who have a need to know (such as librarians, counselors, or specialists who have contact with the student) as soon as the information about the student is known (See your Contract).

State law requires the school to inform teachers and security personnel of any incoming transfer students history of disciplinary actions, criminal or violent behavior, or other behavior that indicates the student could be a threat to the safety of educational staff or other students. (RCW 28A.225.330)

Principals must communicate the disciplinary action taken by the principal to the school personnel who referred the student to the principal for disciplinary action. (RCW 28A.600.020)

A student committing an offense such as an assault, malicious harassment, malicious mischief, or other crimes against an teacher shall not be assigned to that teachers classroom for the duration of the students attendance at that school or any other school where the teacher is assigned. (RCW 28A.600.460)

You have the right to report a student to the police if that student has threatened or assaulted you. Just because you are a school employee, you do not give up your rights under the law as a citizen.

You have the right to obtain an anti-harassment protection order against a student (or a students parent) if those individuals engage in behaviors that are abusive; threatening; seriously alarm, annoy or harass; or would cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress. (RCW 10.14.020)

As always, if you need any assistance in exercising your rights under your contract and/or the law, be sure to contact either your local EA President or your UniServ Representative by phone or through email.

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