HB3885 addresses student behavior in Oklahoma classrooms

HB3885 targets student behavior in Oklahoma classrooms

Oklahoma lawmakers are advancing legislation aimed at addressing student behavior in Oklahoma classrooms, particularly incidents involving assaults on teachers and school staff.

House Bill 3885, authored by State Rep. Josh Cantrell (R-Kingston), would allow suspensions for certain elementary students who injure school employees or volunteers.

HB3885 would expand discipline for elementary student assaults

Under current state law, students in sixth through twelfth grade can face out-of-school suspension for assaulting a school employee or volunteer.

HB3885 expands those consequences to third through fifth graders, focusing on improving student behavior in Oklahoma classrooms.

Cantrell said the idea stemmed from a teacher who told him she was injured by a third-grade student.

"She had told me about being a third grade teacher and getting shanked by a pencil from one of her students, and there was just not a lot of disciplinary action that happened to the student after the fact," Cantrell said.

If passed, a first offense would result in a three-day in-school suspension, allowing time for counseling and intervention. A second offense within a year would lead to out-of-school suspension, and a third offense could result in expulsion. Exceptions would apply for accidents.

Full bill language and legislative updates are available through the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

Supporters link HB3885 to teacher retention

Cantrell said strengthening discipline policies is part of a broader effort to improve student behavior in Oklahoma classrooms and support teacher retention.

"We want you in the classroom. Once you start, we want you to stay there," Cantrell said, linking classroom behavior to third-grade reading benchmarks and overall school readiness.

A survey conducted by Professional Oklahoma Educators (POE) found that just over 61% of respondents reported being physically assaulted or witnessing a colleague being assaulted. More than 79% of respondents said they support the measure, according to POE Director of Government Affairs Daniel Tinney.

Information on educator policy and advocacy efforts is available through Professional Oklahoma Educators.

Concerns about student behavior and classroom safety

Tinney said the organization regularly hears from teachers concerned about safety.

"We get a lot of calls of teachers who are frightened, and they're not sure they wanna go back to the classroom," Tinney told FOX 25.

Lawmakers say HB3885 is intended to send a message that classroom safety and accountability are priorities for improving student behavior in Oklahoma classrooms.

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