Twenty-five students arrested in food fight at Chicago school. An eight year old suspended for bringing a pair of cuticle scissors to school to open the wrapper on her school breakfast. Another student was 13 when the bullying started. Under the zero tolerance policy, no matter who starts the fight, if the victim tries to defend him/herself by fighting back all can be suspended or expelled. Such as the case of the 13 year old, who would eventually give up and drop out after several suspensions for fighting and falling behind.
Another student, arrested and handcuffed before her classmates for writing OK on her desk. It was considered an act of vandalism. Children in kindergarten being placed in handcuffs too big for their little wrist and hauled off in police cruisers. Others as young a six years of age getting shocked with a taser for throwing a temper tantrum. Mace anyone?
Not only do zero tolerance policies not work, they seem to lead to more violent outbursts and young people acting out with more and more anti-social behavior and high dropout rates. Not to mention that it's just the beginning of that revolving door in the prison system, that once you're in, it's almost impossible to ever again be totally free.
According to the Tolerance Organization, quote: "Initially enacted to counter violent behavior and drug use, zero tolerance school disciplinary policies have expanded to cover more minor misbehavior. As a result, the U.S. has experienced dramatic increases in the number of students suspended, expelled and referred to law enforcement for school-based incidents."
These practices are paving the way for higher dropout rates and involvement in the criminal justice system, a pathway often referred to as the "school-to-prison pipeline." Likewise, these practices have been shown to worsen the climates of our schools, leading to teacher burnout.
Zero tolerance is a failed approach.
Zero tolerance policies — policies that mandate predetermined consequences for rule infractions, regardless of the circumstances — were initially aimed at making schools safe. The best way to prevent serious violence at school, the theory went, was to ban any and all weapons or threats of violence, and to accept no excuses."
So, how can society expect to create a future tolerant generation of young people in a society that's obviously become more and more intolerant and punishing?
Brenda Manghane~Washington
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I think that you are right with zero tolerance being a failed approach. A kindergartner being arrested is just wrong; it should not be allowed. The handcuffs didn't even fit on the little wrist. Someone younger than 6 years old being tased can lead to some neurological dysfunctions. I was almost expelled from Westview Elementary for having toothpicks at lunch with ham rolled on them. I think that they need to modify the zero tolerance rule in school.
Alex Faulkenberry
Ivy Academy, 9th grade