REFLECTION ZONE: Stepping Back From Zero Tolerance

Stepping Back From Zero Tolerance



I read the article "Stepping Back From Zero Tolerance" by Judith Browne-Dianis from the September 2011 edition of Educational Leadership.

Zero tolerance is a policy where predetermined, non-negotiable punishments are assigned for certain misbehaviors.  Zero tolerance can lead to increased suspensions and expulsions which can cause students to feel less connected to their school, which can lead youth to engaging in risky behaviors like violence and drug use. These policies are harsh and many times exclude students from school for incidents that are trivial.  For example, an 8th grade girl in Virginia asked her teacher for permission to get a drink of water to take a Tylenol pill that her classmate gave her.  Because of the zero tolerance policy, the language did not differentiate between her OtC pain reliever and crack cocaine.  The school suspended her indefinitely and required her to attend a drug and alcohol abuse program.  This punishment seems ridiculous and is a prime example of an instance where principal discretion should be used. 

The point of this article was that students need more tolerance, not less.  Students need the opportunity to learn from their mistakes, and discipline should teach students instead of always punish.  As an alternative to zero tolerance some schools are using restorative justice, community conferences, referrals to counselors, and peer mediation.  Others are using strategies to teach and model appropriate behaviors.  When figuring out consequences some schools are considering a student's prior conduct, the severity of the incident, and the student's willingness to make the issue better. 

I think it is important for students to learn academics, but I also think it is important for students to learn life lessons about how to treat people and how to maintain self control and handle themselves in stressful situations.  Teachers need to be prepared to teach students these important skills as teachable moments or discipline issues arise.

 
 

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