Exceptions only emerge when it is recommended that special education students be removed from school for extended periods of time or when it is determined that the misbehavior is a manifestation of the students disability. Because of the complexities involved in applying discipline procedures to special education students, schools should provide a separate document detailing the process to be used with them. Districts should adopt similar charts that would incorporate any additional school district requirements. The AFT and other education organizations are actively lobbying Congress to amend portions of federal statutes to expedite the discipline of special education students. Authorization and encouragement to all employees to enforce the code.
Effective discipline begins on the school bus and in the hallways.
Bus drivers, custodians, food service workers and school secretaries are just as essential as classroom teachers and educational assistants in establishing a schoolwide environment conducive to learning. All employees should receive training and support in the enforcement of the code. School officials must make it clear to students that all school employees have the authority and support of administration in fair and consistent application of the code. Many teacher contracts recognize the need for administrators to support teachers in enforcing the code. Despite the presence of such language, many teachers are still given the subtle but firm message from administrators that employees should deal with discipline problems alone.