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What to Do When a Difficult Student Gets Too Difficult

What to do when a difficult student gets too difficult?
Getting help

If a student is disrupting the class and getting in the way of other students’ learning, it may be time to get outside help. Teachers do have the right to file grievances against students. This generally happens in extreme cases, with the department director’s support.

If you have a student whose behavior is unacceptable and does not seem to be improving, follow these steps:

1. Talk to the student in private about the unacceptable behavior. Make sure that the student is clear over what the unacceptable behavior is, how it needs to change, and what the consequences are if it doesn’t. (See below for suggestions about behavioral feedback.) Repeat this step, if necessary. Keep notes on your meetings with the student: dates, times, what was discussed and agreed upon.

2. If the behavior continues, talk to your Department Director. The Department Director may ask to talk to the student.

3. If the behavior continues to be unacceptable, you may wish to file a grievance against the student. Some options for grievances might be: having the student leave the class or transfer sections (depending on circumstances), having the student dismissed from the school. Talk to your department director about how to do this.

4. IF THE STUDENT SEEMS TO BE DANGEROUS OR THREATENING IN ANY WAY, call security and or your department director and have the student removed from the classroom and building immediately.

Notes on behavioral feedback. Talking about behaviors, rather than our interpretation of what is behind the behaviors often elicits a more productive response from the student. In written reports, it gives the reader of the report a clearer picture of what is really happening. Think about how a student might respond to the following feedback:

1. You seem to have a really bad attitude.	A. It looked like you were doing work for other classes during yesterday’s lecture.
2. You aren’t putting enough effort into your homework.	B. I am concerned about your homework. It generally seems incomplete.
3. The student is immature and unruly.	C.The student chats with classmates during lectures and often gives “joking” answers to questions in class.