As the president of the Illinois Education Association, I am acutely aware of the challenges our educators face daily, including the growing teacher and paraprofessional shortages.
The General Assembly recently passed legislation, Senate Bill 1400, meant to address the unintended consequences caused by another bill that was passed, SB 100. This is a monumental step toward addressing challenges surrounding student discipline and educator safety. This legislation not only provides much-needed oversight and guidance in handling disciplinary issues but also acknowledges the alarming statistic that 20% of teachers and support staff have been assaulted on the job in the last five years. The fact that 1 in 5 teachers and support staff members have experienced physical and verbal assault is unacceptable and indicative of a systemic problem that demands urgent attention.
Once SB 1400 is signed into law, it will require the Illinois State Board of Education to draft and publish guidance on evidence-based interventions and the reengagement of at-risk students. It strengthens the original mission of SB 100, while supporting the behavioral health and success of all students.
SB 100, passed in 2015, was an important milestone in addressing racial disparities in student discipline. The landmark legislation amended Illinois’ School Code to prohibit the use of zero tolerance policies, limit the use of out-of- school suspensions and expulsions, prohibit the use of disciplinary fines and fees, and clearly define the role of law enforcement in schools.
Typically, when landmark legislation passes, model policies and supports are provided to school districts. But that never happened with SB 100. Instead, without proper guidance, many districts removed repercussions almost entirely. Few to no disciplinary practices, coupled with an increase in student issues following the pandemic, means IEA members are reporting being hit, kicked, bit and verbally attacked more than ever before.
For far too long, our educators have been navigating an environment in which inconsistent policies and lack of support have left them vulnerable and undervalued. The impact of these conditions is multifold: It ignores the behavioral and mental health needs of our students; it jeopardizes the quality of education all of our students receive; and it places our dedicated teachers and support staff in harm’s way. We need to make sure we create school environments that are safe and healthy for all students and staff. It’s important to use both de-escalation strategies and restorative practices when working with our students. Consequences and boundaries are a critical life lesson students need to learn so they can be responsible and respectful members of society. SB 1400 begins to address these issues, creating a safer and more supportive environment for both students and educators.
The significance of this legislation goes beyond just improving classroom management. It directly affects educator retention, a crucial factor in addressing the current teacher and support staff shortages. When teachers, paraprofessionals and other staff are equipped with clear guidelines and feel supported in their efforts to maintain a conducive learning environment, job satisfaction increases, and burnout decreases.
While SB 1400 is a significant milestone, it is not the final destination. This legislation lays a solid foundation upon which we can build. It represents a commitment to valuing our educators and ensures that our schools are safe, supportive environments for all. Let us build on this momentum and continue to work toward a future in which all teachers and their students feel safe, supported and valued. We need safe and supportive schools for all.
Al Llorens is president of the Illinois Education Association, a union of more than 135,000 members.
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