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A report by the American Psychological Association Zero Tolerance Task Force |
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NO TOLERANCE FOR ZERO-TOLERANCE Since Zachary's initial suspension, we have received tens of thousands of emails supporting Zachary and condemning zero-tolerance policies. The simple fact is that, while they may have seemed like a good when they were enacted, zero tolerance policies don't work. There is no evidence that they do anything to reduce violence in schools, and there is evidence that they harm children by reducing self-esteem and increasing drop-out rates. School violence is a serious issue, and it will take a strong commitment on the part of parents, teachers, school administrators, and students to reduce it. Violence and violent students must not be permitted to rule our schools, however, neither should rigid, dictatorial policies that allow no room for discretion. School principals and district administrators are there to support teachers by intervening when a student exhibits aggression toward staff or other students. Bullying, threats, and intimidation need to be addressed immediately and not be swept under the rug and ignored. Policies should give teachers, principals and administrators the latitude to take the necessary steps to ensure the safety and well-being of the students. Policies should NOT tie the hands of teachers, principals and administrators by removing their ability to use judgment and common sense when dealing with disciplinary issues. Unfortunately, with this flexibility comes responsibility, and it is the responsibility of the parents, teachers, principals, district administrators, and ultimately the school board to make sure that students who have disciplinary problems and/or who are potentially violent are dealt with in a way that protects the safety of all of the students. If you believe that zero-tolerance is the answer, please do some homework about the effects of zero tolerance on school safety and on individual students. |
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READ THE STORIES OF OTHER VICTIMS OF "ZERO TOLERANCE"
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