House education policy committee approves bill that could exclude students from classrooms

Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, applauds outgoing Alabama District Attorneys Association Director Barry Matson in the Alabama Senate on April 18, 2024 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. The Senate passed a resolution honoring Matson, who is retiring. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

An amended version of a bill establishing policies for student exclusion from classrooms passed the House Education Policy Committee Wednesday.

SB 157, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, is a “Teachers’ Bill of Rights” that would provide teachers with pathways to remove students from their classrooms for behavioral disruptions.

The bill passed on a voice vote.

“Since this bill was presented last week, I’ve heard more stories within my district of situations like this,” said Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, who carried the bill in committee.

While committee members spoke favorably about the bill Wednesday, the bill had previously divided education community representatives over teachers’ rights and local control.

Garrett said he worked with other parties on an amendment to the bill. Garrett said it added specialty schools; puts the principal in charge of discipline; requires a teacher to follow an approved classroom management plan approved 10 days after submission; requires the Alabama State Board of Education to adopt a model policy that local boards can adopt; and requires local boards to adopt a policy that meets minimum standards if not the state board one.

The amendment also removes the Department of Youth Services from the bill.

Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, the chair of the committee, and Rep. Van Smith, R-Billingsley, said they were happy with the amount of work done on the bill with different education representatives.

“I do believe that we need as as much power in the classroom as possible so that those students understand that the teachers have some authority as well,” Smith said.

The bill moves to the full House of Representatives. It needs one legislative day to pass, provided the Senate agrees to House changes. There are six legislative days in the session.

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