Use of Force by School Employees

DELAWARE ATTORNEY GENERAL

USE OF FORCE BY SCHOOL EMPLOYEES

School employees should check with their District Office regarding the use of force allowed under District Rules to protect themselves from administrative sanctions or civil liability.

The amount of force a school employee can legally use is set forth in 11 Del. C Section 468. Click here for law

Use of Force that is Not Justified
A teacher or administrator must NOT:

Throw a Student
Kick a Student
Burn a Student
Cut a Student
Strike a Student with a closed fist
Interfere with a student's breathing
Use or threaten to use a deadly weapon against a student
Deprive a student of sustenance or medication for a prolonged period of time
Commit any other act that is likely to cause or does cause physical injury, disfigurement, mental distress, unnecessary degradation or substantial risk of serious physical injury or death.

See also the Teacher Classroom Control Act, 14 Delaware Code Section 701. Click Here for law.

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THE INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THIS WEBSITE IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF ISSUES RELATED TO SCHOOL LAW

general overview of issues related to school law

* The information contained on this website is intended to provide a general overview of issues related to school law. While the Attorney General's Office has made every effort to ensure that the material included reflects the Delaware law as of August 1, 2002, it should be noted that the information is subject to constant change. Although the information presented strives for accuracy, it should not be taken as legal advice. School administrators should consult their school district's attorney or Deputy Attorney General for guidance on specific questions or cases.

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Keeping Schools Safe:

Contacting Juvenile Probation
Information on contacting juvenile probation officers.

New Castle County Court Procedures
Information on court procedures for school cases in family court in NCC

School Crime Reporting Law
Student behavior that must be reported by schools.

School Violence & Bully-Prevention Assemblies and Programs

Bully-Proofing:

Guide - A teacher's guide to help prevent bullying in your school. Includes Survey.
Brochure (.pdf) - A Bully Proofing Guide for Principals and Teachers
DE Bullying Questionnaire
Worksheet for the Bully (.pdf)
Preventative Solutions to School Violence & Bullying (.pdf)
Passive Targets of Bullying
Active Targets of Bullying
Anger Worksheet (,pdf)

Information for the Teacher:

Get a Speaker
Need a speaker to come to your class and talk to the children?

Job Shadowing
Children are assigned to an employee with whom they will spend a work day.

Sentencing Recommendation Form
Form for school employees, or police to make recommendations on pending school cases.

Sex Offenders in Delaware
A listing of the registered sex offenders in Delaware

Other Information:

Child Abuse Reporting
General information and contact information on reporting child abuse.

Notification of Off-Campus Felonies
Policy to inform schools of serious crimes committed by students off of school property.

Opportunities for Students
Programs for high school age students

School Zone Penalty Enhancements for Weapons
Laws regarding possession of weapons in school zones.

Use of Force by School Employees
Maintaining discipline or control in the classroom

Young Offenders Agreement
For offenders under age 9

Victim Contact Information

New Castle County: 302-577-8500
Kent County : 302-739-4211
Sussex County: 302-856-5352
Victim Counseling 800-870-1790

24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotlines
New Castle County: 302-762-6110
Kent/Sussex Counties: 302-422-8058
Abriendo Puertas (Latinas) 302-745-9874
Victim/Witness Services Unit: 800-870-1790
Violent Crimes Compensation Board: 302-995-8383

Child Victim
Child Abuse Report Line: 800-292-9582
Children's Advocacy Center: 302-651-4566
Child Mental Health Crisis Line
633-5128 or 800-969-4357

Delaware HELPLINE
1-800-464-4357

Victim Contact Information

Victim Contact Information

24-Hour Hotlines

Domestic Violence:
Rape Crisis Contact:
Mobile Crisis Unit:
Child Abuse Hotline: Abriendo Puertas:
Northern Kent:
Kent/Sussex Counties:

302-762-6110 800-262-9800 800-652-2929 800-292-9582 302-745-9874 302-678-3886 302-422-8058

Full Victim Contact List

Last Updated: Wednesday, 19-Sep-2007 12:50:56 EDT