Lawmakers look to address violence in schools, say teachers can defend themselves

DES MOINES, Iowa — Violence in Iowa schools are becoming a problem for teachers across the state.

Now, changes proposed for Iowa teachers will allow them more leeway to deal with physical violence in classrooms.

It's a new proposal, GOP lawmakers are calling the "teachers bill of rights," so educators know exactly what to do when it comes to disruptive students.

Give the teachers more opportunities to correct violent activities with the students," State Rep. Mary Madison said.

GOP lawmakers are hearing from educators who say they've been physically or verbally harmed by students.

One teacher had actually text[ed] me and said that she had a concussion she was hit in class," State Rep. Skyler Wheeler said. "I had another teacher that said he was physically challenged.

Wheeler the chair of the House education committee said educators have a right to defend themselves and this bill would clarify when physical contact with a student is reasonable or necessary.

A lot of them have either communicated this to the administration and it hasn't gone passed that," Rep. Wheeler said. "Sometimes they're discouraged from even contacting the police for instance and that was brought up in subcommittee today.

The bill would also allow for teachers to remove disruptive students from class.

A first offense would result in a trip to the school counselor and 1 day of in-school suspension. By the third time, the student would be expelled from that teachers class.

However, Democrats have concerns over a three-strike rule.

Some of the problems that they demonstrate in school is related to other things so we want to find out what's going on before we just say that's it. I'm through with you," Rep. Madison said.

Democrats are on board with the goal of the proposal but would like to see some minor adjustments.

For instance, putting school administration in charge of contacting parents instead of teachers.

The teachers are already overloaded so we don't want to give them another thing, but the parents do need to be contacted if a child is hurt," Rep. Madison said.

Rep. Wheeler says the bill will see some changes, but Iowans won't see those until the house floor debates it.