California Bill Would Ban Student Suspensions for Defying Teachers, Disrupting Classes

A class at Stark Elementary School in Stamford, Conn., on March 10, 2021. John Moore/Getty Images

A California Senate bill introduced last week would ban schools from suspending students who disrupt class or defy teachers—known as willful defiance suspensions.

Senate Bill 274, introduced by Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), said such suspensions lead to students dropping out and exacerbate learning loss at a time when many are still behind due to the COVID-19 pandemic.