This week lawmakers will examine one of the most expensive and controversial questions facing school districts: what to do with undisciplined kids.

State law requires districts to set up Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs for students who are removed from their classes for disciplinary reasons. These programs can be expensive. Texas Appleseed found that the Disciplinary Alternative Education Program cost Dallas schools $57,000 per student a year.

The House Public Education Committee on Monday will hear testimony about these programs. Committee Chairman Rob Eissler says he wants to learn more about how younger children and special education students are treated and how schools are enforcing discipline. He also wants to learn about more cost-efficient ways to teach kids good behavior and save taxpayers money.