Managing Behaviour Concerns

Managing Behavior Concerns and Classroom Disruptions

  1. Take student aside for a private discussion
    • Clearly identify problematic behaviors
    • Explain how the behavior disrupts the learning environment
    • Collaboratively craft a strategy for preventing the behavior, if necessary.

Ex: “While I greatly appreciate questions in my class and on the subject matter, I have noticed that you call out your questions at times that are not appropriate, such as when I am speaking. This is distracting for me and for the class because your questions are not always related to the subject matter. Moving forward, I think we could improve the learning environment if you raise your hand for questions, you are mindful of what kinds of questions you are asking and when you are asking them, and, if necessary, write down your questions and make an appointment to meet with me outside of class to answer all of your questions in detail. Do you have any questions?”

  1. Send a follow-up email to the student to reiterate the discussion and write clear expectations of behavior.
  2. If disruptions continue, take the student aside again.
    • Reiterate expectations that you outlined previously.
    • Ask if there is some clarification that they need or something that did not make sense in your last conversation.
    • Identify the inappropriate behaviors; point out when they occurred.
    • Explain that if the behaviors continue to be a disruption in class, you will ask them to leave the class per AP 5520.
      • Instructors are permitted to remove a student from their class for two class periods (the immediate class period and the one following).
    • Follow-up this conversation through an email.
      • If you know that this student may not check their email or are unresponsive to their emails, consider printing out a physical copy of your email and handing it to them in class, explaining that this goes into effect immediately.
      • Keep records of all correspondence with the student.
  3. Submit a COM CARE Report to document your steps up to this point. 
  4. Should disruptive behavior persist, take the student aside privately, and ask them to leave class, citing AP 5520 (Educational Code Section 76032).
  5. Submit a second COM CARE Report for further intervention, if warranted.
    • After a COM CARE report is submitted, either the Student Conduct Officer or the Director of Student Activities and Advocacy will contact you to offer assistance and support.
  6. Schedule a mediated conversation between you and the student. This must occur after the student is removed and must occur before the student may return to class.
    • Possible third party mediators include Department Chair, Dean, Student Conduct Officer, Director of Student Activities and Advocacy, or another individual with consultation with the Department Chair or Dean.
  7. During this mediated conversation, prepare to explain to the student why you asked them to leave class, cite previous conversations, and/or expectations. Be prepared to listen to the student and hear their perspective. The purpose of this conversation is to develop understanding, move to a behavior change, and set extremely clear outcomes should the behavior continue past that meeting.
  8. When the student returns to class, hopefully, the behaviors will not continue; however, should they continue, ask the student to leave again, and contact the Student Conduct Officer.
  9. From there, it will likely go through the student conduct process.