BP BHEAD INT H

AN ACT Relating to classroom discipline; amending RCW 28A.600.020; and prescribing penalties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 28A.600.020 and 1990 c 33 s 497 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The rules adopted pursuant to RCW 28A.600.010 shall be interpreted to insure that the optimum learning atmosphere of the classroom is maintained, and that the highest consideration is given to the judgment of qualified certificated educators regarding conditions necessary to maintain the optimum learning atmosphere.

(2) Any student who creates a disruption of the educational process in violation of the building disciplinary standards while under a teacher's immediate supervision may be excluded by the teacher from his or her individual classroom and instructional or activity area for all or any portion of the balance of the school day or until the principal or designee and teacher have conferred, whichever occurs first((~~: PROVIDED, That~~)). Except in emergency circumstances, the teacher shall have first attempted one or more alternative forms of corrective action((~~: PROVIDED FURTHER, That~~)). In no event without the consent of the teacher shall an excluded student be returned during the balance of that class or activity period.

(3) Maintaining order in the educational environment is a school-based activity necessary for achieving a performance-based education system and for improving student learning for all students, including students with diverse needs and is consistent with the student learning goals in RCW 28A.150.210.

In order to maintain an environment conducive to educational excellence and to enhance the ability of all students to learn, school teachers, principals, and superintendents shall have the authority to expel permanently students who engage in consistent disruptive behavior.

Permanent expulsion may be imposed for consistent disobedience or disruptive behavior by a student that substantially interferes with the educational process or the ability of a teacher, principal, or superintendent to maintain discipline or provide a quality learning environment.

A student with a handicapping condition shall not be expelled for behavior that occurs solely as a result of the student's handicapping condition.

Before permanent expulsion, a parent or legal guardian of the student subject to permanent expulsion shall meet with the authorities considering permanent expulsion and shall be given the opportunity to sign a written understanding that the parent or legal guardian and the student will work with school officials in specific ways to eliminate the disruptive behavior, and that the student is on a probationary status and further disruptive behavior may result in permanent expulsion.

For violations of this subsection, a teacher may permanently expel a student from his or her individual classroom or instructional or activity area, a school principal may permanently expel a student from the school, and a district superintendent may permanently expel a student from the district. Expulsion shall be in compliance with procedures developed under subsection (4) of this section.

(4) In order to preserve a beneficial learning environment for all students and to maintain good order and discipline in each classroom, every school district board of directors shall provide that written procedures are developed for administering discipline at each school within the district. Such procedures shall be developed with the participation of parents and the community, and shall provide that the teacher, principal, or superintendent, or his or her designee, and other authorities designated by the board of directors, make every reasonable attempt to involve the parent or guardian and the student in the resolution of student discipline problems. Such procedures shall provide that students may be excluded from their individual classes or activities for periods of time in excess of that provided in subsection (2) of this section, or permanently, if such students have repeatedly disrupted the learning of other students((~~: PROVIDED, That~~)). The procedures ((~~are~~)) shall be consistent with the ((~~regulations~~)) rules of the state board of education and provide for early involvement of parents in attempts to improve the student's behavior((~~: PROVIDED FURTHER, That~~)). Pursuant to RCW 28A.400.110, the procedures shall assure that all staff work cooperatively toward consistent enforcement of proper student behavior throughout each school as well as within each classroom.

School districts, district superintendents, school principals, and teachers are not liable for civil damages or criminal penalties resulting from the exclusion or permanent expulsion of a student from an individual classroom or instructional or activity area, a school, or a district unless a district superintendent, school principal, or teacher acts with malice as defined in RCW 9A.04.110.