School safety is a concern of administrators, teachers, parents and students. Federal legislation has been enacted to address school safety, including the discipline of students with disabilities. One option available to school districts is to place potentially dangerous or disruptive students in an interim alternative educational setting (IAES). School districts must meet a burden of proof by showing that such placements are necessary. Specific examples of the 1997 IDEA four-prong burden are presented in this article. These cases clarify four sources of evidence that were necessary for a school district to obtain an order to remove a dangerous or disruptive child to an IAES. Next, the analysis reviews cases addressing various types of disruptive and dangerous behaviors. Third, a review of cases involving placement in an IAES for drug and weapons offenses is presented. Guidelines for balancing the need for school safety with the need to provide appropriate programs for students with disabilities are also presented.