Today, the definition of a student with an EBD conjures up visions of violence perpetrated by a few students who are severe. A hot topic in the special education world today is whether these students are too dangerous to be included in regular education classes. Statistics show that students with EBD are likely to be victims of violence or bullying by their non-disabled peers, as well as troublemakers. The definition of EBD broadly includes all emotionally disordered students with subjective feelings such as sadness, fear, guilt, and anxiety that give rise to altered behaviors that are outside the range of normal. Should children with chronic and severe anger, already convicted of problem behaviors, be included in inclusive education? The law is clear: the school must "show cause" if a child with an EBD is to be permanently moved from the regular class to a more restrictive one.
In 1994, the "Gun-Free Schools Act" in the USA became law and requires a 1-year expulsion of anyone who brings a firearm to school. However, the IDEA in the 1994 re-authorization made a compromise for EBD students. It states that "if bringing a weapon to school is related to their disability, if it is the result of being teased or bullied, then they are exempt from the Gun-Free Schools Act Legislation". They can be expelled but only for 10 days while the school determines their degree of danger to others. If they are judged to be dangerous, they can be given a temporary placement for 45 days, subject to reassessment.
This is VERY controversial and hard to prove. It illustrates a double standard. Students without disabilities can be expelled with no educational provisions for 1 full year. Is it fair to general ed students to have ED/BD students in their classes? Where should they be educated?