This paper attempts to develop guidelines relating to the problem of disruptive pupils in the classroom. A disruptive student is defined as one who interferes with the learning process. He is often male, physically aggressive, verbally hostile, over-age and frequently absent. The study examines the overlap between disruptive behavior and emotional disturbance; legal aspects and security in secondary schools; the identification and prevention of disruptive behavior; special schools, classes and alternative programs; and the disruptive student in the elementary school. The study indicates that schools need a clearly written policy statement on such subjects as building security, corporal punishment, class size, special classes, suspensions, etc. It concludes that guidelines must be developed locally, with each school district taking into consideration its own needs. Included are some approaches which local schools have instituted for preventing or coping with disruptive students. (Author/HMV)