Next school year, it will be illegal for both public and charter schools in California to suspend disruptive students, from kindergarten to 8th grade. In a sweeping act of government overreach, the California state legislature and Gov. Gavin Newsom have decided that they know better than teachers and school administrators.

The new bill permanently prohibits suspensions for “willful defiance,” which sponsoring Democratic Sen. Nancy Skinner, says “puts the needs of kids first.” This statement, though deeply ironic, is not incorrect. The bill does put kids — especially the defiant variety — first. The problem is that it privileges them above the adults tasked with their education and their obedient classmates.