Which of the following students is least likely to be sent to the office when exhibiting disruptive behavior?

The choice of Dave, a white student whose parents are college professors, reflects a pattern in educational settings where students from higher socioeconomic backgrounds are often perceived differently by educators. This can relate to implicit biases that influence disciplinary actions. Teachers and administrative staff may show leniency towards students who come from families with more educational attainment and resources, assuming they are likely to have support systems in place to address behavioral issues.

In many cases, school discipline can reveal disparities based on socioeconomic status and race. Students like Alice, from low-income families, might face harsher disciplinary actions due to assumptions about their backgrounds. Meanwhile, students like John, with a history of disciplinary issues, and Maria, who is already known for being disruptive, are likely to be sent to the office as their behaviors are more expected and recognized within the context of the school's disciplinary framework. This highlights a tendency where known difficulties can lead to more severe consequences, while a lack of prior incidents for a particular student can lead to more leniency.

Thus, Dave's background and circumstances are less likely to trigger immediate office referrals compared to the others, making him the least likely among the options to be sent to the office for disruptive behavior.