§416.18. Teacher Bill of Rights

A. Respecting the authority of teachers is essential to creating an environment conducive to learning, effective instruction in the classroom, and proper administration of city, parish, and other local public schools. To maintain and protect that authority, it is important that teachers, administrators, parents, and students are fully informed of the various rights conferred upon teachers pursuant to this Section, which are:

(1) A teacher has the right to teach free from the fear of frivolous lawsuits, including the right to qualified immunity and to a legal defense, and to indemnification by the employing school board, pursuant to R.S. 17:416.1(C), 416.4, 416.5, and 416.11, for actions taken in the performance of duties of the teacher's employment.

(2) A teacher has the right to appropriately discipline students in accordance with R.S. 17:223 and 416 through 416.16 and any city, parish, or other local public school board regulation.

(3) A teacher has the right to remove any persistently disruptive student from his classroom when the student's behavior prevents the orderly instruction of other students or when the student displays impudent or defiant behavior and to place the student in the custody of the principal or his designee pursuant to R.S. 17:416(A)(1)(c).

(4) A teacher has the right to have his or her professional judgment and discretion respected by school and district administrators in any disciplinary action taken by the teacher in accordance with school and district policy and with R.S.17:416(A)(1)(c).

(5) A teacher has the right to teach in a safe, secure, and orderly environment that is conducive to learning and free from recognized dangers or hazards that are causing or likely to cause serious injury in accordance with R.S. 17:416.9 and 416.16.

(6) A teacher has the right to be treated with civility and respect as provided in R.S. 17:416.12.

(7) A teacher has the right to communicate with and to request the participation of parents in appropriate student disciplinary decisions pursuant to R.S. 17:235.1 and 416(A).

(8) A teacher has the right to complete only paperwork that is not excessively burdensome and that, if required by law or regulation, adheres to the law or regulation and does not result in overly cumbersome interpretations of that law or regulation.

(9) A beginning teacher has the right to receive leadership and support in accordance with R.S. 17:3881, including the assignment of a qualified, experienced mentor who commits to helping him become a competent, confident professional in the classroom and offers support and assistance as needed to meet performance standards and professional expectations.

(10) A teacher has the right to be afforded time during the school day or week to collaborate with other teachers.

B. No city, parish, or other local public school board shall establish policies that prevent teachers from exercising the rights provided in this Section or in any other provision included in R.S. 17:416 through 416.16.

C. The provisions of this Section shall not be construed to supersede any other state law, State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education policy, or city, parish, or other local public school board policy enacted or adopted relative to the discipline of students.

D. Each city, parish, or other local public school board shall provide a copy of this Section to all teachers at the beginning of each school year. Each such school board also shall post a copy of the rights provided in this Section in a prominent place in every school and administrative building it operates and provide such a copy to parents or legal guardians of all children attending such schools in a form and manner approved by the school board. Each city, parish, or other local public school board and every school under its jurisdiction that maintains an Internet website shall post on such website a copy of the Teacher Bill of Rights required by this Section.

Acts 2003, No. 1252, §1, eff. July 7, 2003; Acts 2008, No. 155, §1, eff. June 12, 2008; Acts 2013, No. 329, §1.