2918 AMH **** 3 [3]

HB 2918 - H AMD

By Representative ___________

On page 3, after line 17, insert the following:

"Sec. 2. 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 permanently expel 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 four of this section.

Funds from the grant may be used to pay for staff development activities by the school community designed to provide instruction on implementation of this subsection.

(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 their 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 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.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 28A.320 RCW to read as follows:

(1) School district boards of directors may establish schools which parents may choose for their children to attend in which:

(a) Students are required to conform to dress and grooming codes, including requiring that students wear uniforms; (b) parents are required to participate in the student's education; and/or (c) discipline requirements are more stringent than in other schools in the district.

(2) School district boards of directors may establish programs in which: (a) Students are required to conform to dress and grooming codes, including requiring that students wear uniforms; (b) parents are regularly counseled and encouraged to participate in the student's education; and/or (c) discipline requirements are more stringent than in other schools in the district.

School boards may require that students who are subject to suspension or expulsion attend schools where programs are established under this subsection as a condition of continued enrollment in the school district.

Parents who demonstrate a lack of economic ability may be exempt from the uniform requirements under this subsection."