Zero tolerance
Zero-tolerance policies used in public schools across the United States have been in affect for years now, and have failed to produce the intended results. All to often the method fails to differentiate between good students who make the typical mistakes of adolescence and the unruly delinquents who can bring learning to a standstill (Cauchon 23). A new report conducted by the Indiana University School of Education, reviewed the use of zero-tolerance policies since their inception in the 1980’s (Petracca). The director of the project, Professor Russell Skiba, said, “Zero tolerance is a political response, not an educationally sound solution,” (Petracca). In fact both children and teens are often over disciplined, or the method of discipline is far too serious. Zero-tolerance policies have become increasingly criticized in the past two years, as they have become the standard operating procedure in 109,000 of the nation’s public schools (Cauchon 23). The policies are harsh, and they lack both the flexibility and the common sense needed to properly discipline students (Cauchon 23). Zero tolerance policies started sweeping the nation in 1994 after Congress required states to adopt laws that guaranteed
Supporters of the policies that expel students for every offense say that the policy may be painful but is needed to send a clear message that drugs and weapons have no place in school. However, it is far from absurd for a young girl to bring painkillers with her to school for menstrual cramps, or for a student with a sore throat to eat cough drops. And “heaven forbid” a student who brings a broom to school for a class project. The truth is that most anything can be made into a weapon. Pens and pencils can be used to stab someone, but schools cannot make them illegal. There would be no way for a student to write. Some students like to buy markers that have scents. Should they be expelled for sniffing markers? Both protractors and scissors can make efficient stabbing tools. The list could go on and on. Granted the policies are varied, it is the strict ones that need most work. If some common sense could be more applied than set rules, there would not be so many outrageous cases of over disciplined students. More decision-making power should be placed in the hands of the principals. Perhaps the principals can get together with the students parents and discuss the course of action if there has been a real problem. More reasonable rules and codes of conduct should be proposed and utilized. There are different solutions for different problems. Students need individual discipline. There is
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Approximate Word count = 946
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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