Zero Tolerance Policies

Zero Tolerance Policies aim to make schools a better and safer learning environment when in actuality they do not make schools safer and have negative effects on specific students who are targeted. Black and Latino boys have been shown to have a higher expulsion and suspension rate than Caucasian boys and girls of any race. This issue is especially prevalent in urban under-resourced schools. Originally Zero Tolerance Policies were created in response to students bringing weapons to school but only 5% of serious disciplinary actions have been as a result of students bringing weapons to school. Research is against zero tolerance policies suggesting that they do not make schools any safer or more orderly but rather that they produce the opposite effect. Also research does not support these policies deterring students from bringing weapons to school.

Schools create zero-tolerance policies and focus on punishment more than rehabilitation. But, schools should rehabilitate at risk youths instead of further damaging them. Schools are now needlessly criminalizing students and their actions in an attempt to crack down on bad behaviors. All this does is further the disservice being done to our youth. With the continued criminalization students are now on a high risk path to becoming criminals and being incarcerated. In addition, when children are suspended or expelled from school they have much more time on their hands to engage in activities that could lead them down the wrong path. All of these factors culminate and cause further trouble to our youth.