WRHI

South Carolina legislators are evaluating a new proposal designed to provide teachers with greater authority and protection in the face of classroom violence and disruptions. The Educator Safety and Classroom Authority Act of 2026 aims to reshape how student behavior is managed, granting educators more control over who remains in their learning environments. A primary component of the bill addresses the immediate return of disruptive students. Under the proposed rules, if a teacher dismisses a student for violent or disruptive behavior, that student would be barred from returning to the same classroom for the remainder of the day without the teacher’s explicit consent. Furthermore, the legislation authorizes the use of reasonable physical force by educators in self-defense or to quell violence, and it establishes a pathway for the permanent removal of students in extreme cases. The bill has faced scrutiny regarding its impact on students with disabilities. Advocacy groups expressed concerns that the measure could conflict with federal protections, such as Individualized Education Programs (IEP). In response, lawmakers are considering an amendment to clarify that while teachers may initiate removals for immediate safety, long-term placement decisions for students with disabilities would remain the responsibility of a specialized IEP team.