By Christopher J. Girard Globe Correspondent

Dozens gathered in a steady rain in front of the State House Saturday afternoon to call for a ban on the use of electric shock at the Judge Rotenberg Educational Center in Canton, which is believed to be the only school in the country that gives students such shocks as a form of treatment.

Arguing that electrical shock is a cruel and dangerous method of treatment, speakers and attendees at the rally lauded pending legislation that would ban the practice across the state. The State Senate passed the ban in its budget last month.

The House of Representatives did not include a ban in its budget but it could be part of the final version.

After three years teaching at the school, which serves students with special needs, Greg Miller quit in March 2006.

Miller said in an interview he had to choose between keeping his job or administering shocks to students for minor infractions such as ripping a paper cup or refusing to take off a winter coat.

Miller, who now lives in the northern Sierra Nevada region of California, said staff turnover at the school was high during his tenure. Teachers were suspended or fired for failing to report on other teachers who failed to shock students for misbehavior, he said.

Administrators at the Rotenberg Center contend that their methods have merit and are uniquely effective with certain special-needs cases.

Miller said he has no tolerance for this position.

“Exercise multiple times a day, engaging the students in interesting lessons, and building trust between students and teachers all show results,” said Miller, who went on to work at a school in California for students with special needs. “You don’t need to shock or drug them.”