Schools Re-Think 'Zero Tolerance' Policies

School "zero tolerance" policies have once again grabbed the national limelight. Such policies specify harsh, automatic punishments for rule infractions, regardless of whether the student behavior was accidental, or occurred due to ignorance or extenuating circumstances. 

Zero tolerance policies most often apply to cases of school-based student violence, or possession of drugs or weapons. Yet due to the unintended negative consequences of these policies and a lack of evidence for their effectiveness, many communities have protested them, and many districts have dropped them.

Over a decade ago, the National Association of School Psychologists recommended that schools abandon these policies and suggested alternatives. The American Psychological Association has offered similar and more recent suggestions.

Accordingly, Oregon's Kennewich School District officially eliminated its zero tolerance policies. Superintendent Dave Bond told Oregon Live the specifics for each student incident "should be examined."

"I certainly think it's a positive change," he said. "I think there was a time and a place for no-tolerance policies, but I also believe that some folks have taken those to the extreme."

Parents and students in the Kennewich School District said the policies were "too inflexible" and "overzealous." 

Jose Prado, a former Kennewich high school student, said he was punched in the face by another student, and he (Prado) got suspended. 

Kennewich's new policy will give principals the discretion to choose appropriate student punishments. 

In Michigan, 16-year-old Youth Voice Co-President Michael Reynolds is working hard to shed light on the negative effects of zero-tolerance policies in his school. A total of 150 students, parents and educators plan to march from Detroit to the state's capital to protest these policies, reported PBS.

"It hurts me beause schools are punishing kids out in the streets," said Reynolds. "If we're in the streets, nothing good can come of it. I think sometimes the schools set us up for failure."

Colorado passed a 2012 bill that reduced to one the number of "zero-tolerance" offenses that would result in student suspension. That offense? Bringing a firearm onto a school campus. 

Columnist Bob Adelmann also examined this issue in the New American. He said the policies are resulting in schools "resembling prisons." Adelmann considered the case of student Jordan Wiser, who was forcibly searched at his school after a prank photo of Wiser next to Seung-Hui Cho (the deceased Virginia Tech shooter) circulated around the building. 

"Students have been expelled for possessing nail clippers, cough drops, mouthwash or rubberbands," said Adelmann. 

Related resources

Beyond Icebreakers: Building Student Connectedness

Stop Tolerating Zero Tolerance

Does your district or school have zero-tolerance policies? What's your take on them? Comment below!

Article by Kassondra Granata, EducationWorld Contributor
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