Abstract

There are currently 23 states in the United States that have laws considered as some form of school disturbance law. These do not include codes or laws specifying school discipline consequences such as suspension or expulsion. They vary widely in how broadly they can be applied and how broadly they define behaviors. Students are often not aware typical student misbehavior such as refusing to work, talking back, belching, or throwing paper airplanes could result in an arrest. These laws disproportionally impact students of color and students with disabilities. This article will review the breadth of these laws in the United States, their historical development and growth, and how the implementation of these laws disproportionally impacts students of color and students with disabilities. Suggestions for policy changes are included.