Removal Right Letters
A reading table with crayons scattered beside an open picture book
An example. The people and details are invented.

Every day, again

Ms. Rivera teaches second grade. Since the start of the year, one boy in her class had stopped her reading lessons almost every day. He shouted over her, crawled under tables, and swept other children's work onto the floor.

She moved his seat, made him a sticker chart, called his mother six times, and sent him to the office. Each time, he was back within twenty minutes. Her reading groups hadn't finished a lesson in three weeks.

Then a colleague showed her §37.002. She didn't need anyone's permission. She needed a record.

What the law says

“A teacher may remove from class a student who ... repeatedly interferes with the teacher's ability to communicate effectively with the students in the class or with the ability of the student's classmates to learn.”

Texas Education Code §37.002(b)(1)

How it went

  1. She wrote it downFor two weeks she logged every incident: what he did, how long the lesson stopped, and what she tried.
  2. She told her principal, in writingA one-page removal notice citing the law, with her log attached. It said she did not consent to his return.
  3. The school held a conferenceHis mother, the assistant principal, and Ms. Rivera met within three class days. He didn't come back to her room in the meantime.
  4. The principal placed himHe moved to another second-grade class with a behavior plan. Her reading groups finished the unit that week.

Does this sound like your room?

Learn how it worksFive short chapters, from your right to the hard questions.
Write your lettersFill in your details, and your notice and letters are written for you.

Other situations: one thing crossed a line · a student is being bullied · a threat, and the office sent him back

The whole process, start to finish

New here? Start at the beginning
  1. 1Know your rightThe law gives the decision to you.
  2. 2Check that it fitsThree reasons. One incident can be enough.
  3. 3Keep a recordOne incident, one page. Print or save each one.
  4. 4Give written noticeYou notify your principal. You don't ask.
  5. 5The conferenceScheduled by the third class day. The student stays out until then.
  6. 6Your decision on the returnYour written consent, or the law's steps without it.

If your school ignores the law · Write your letters · Print the workbook · Something wrong on this page? Tell us

This site is general information, not legal advice, and not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. For your own situation, talk to a licensed Texas attorney.