Opinion of zero tolerance policies in schools

[RedSLC]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero_tolerance_(schools)

Something that I've decided to focus on. Apparently the last poll on this subject was more than six years ago, so, might as well start a new one.

For me, HP (D) for a myriad of reasons. First there is virtually no evidence that they are effective at reducing bad behavior in schools. Second, instead of focusing on making punishment proportional to offenses (which is what should be done), these policies remove any and all judgement from evaluating offenses, and end up treating minor ones the same way that they would treat very serious ones - with suspension or expulsion. Third, the extremely broad interpretation of these policies has also resulted in school districts punishing things that shouldn't even be considered offenses in the first place. Among these have been idiotic incidents such as (to name a few examples from the link), suspending a girl for having a knife to cut a birthday cake, suspending a boy for making a gun with his hand, and suspending another boy for biting into a pop-tart in a way that made it look like a gun. And fourth, these policies have also been used to disproportionately target minority groups. In short, they're a counter-productive waste of time and resources that need to be smashed.

[Cassius]

Heavily misused. Whilst I have no problem with heavy punishments for serious misdemeanours (and I'm talking about things like threatening other students and teachers with violence, hardcore physical violence, selling drugs and extreme use of bad language) it is clear that zero-tolerance policies have been misused quite a bit. Nonetheless, I can understand and sympathise with the reasons behind the introduction of 'zero-tolerance' policies (desiring to make schools safer, more hospitable environments).

[ElectionsGuy]

Unbelievably awful. Basically its just school taking away freedom at the expense of what they call "an appropriate environment". Screw that. Yes threats, violence, etc. that is serious should be dealt with by heavy punishments. But cases of pretending to shoot a gun, bringing rubber bands, etc. are absolutely ridiculous and only makes school feel like a jail cell where authority has all power and the kids have none.

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Enough said, anybody who thinks this is a freedom policy is an HP.

[TDAS04]

Absolutely horrible policies. 

[H. Ross Peron]

Absolutely horrible policies. 

[Flake]

Absolutely horrible policies. 

[bedstuy]

Horrible, except in the case of biting pop-tarts into weapon like shapes.  That's clearly grounds for being expelled and sent to a reeducation camp in Siberia.

[TJ in Oregon]

Horrrible in most cases since they tend to be an overreaction to the most bizarre things. The thing is, kids say stupid things from time to time that shouldn't be taken too seriously.

[they don't love you like i love you]

If krazen instead merely focused what he says about teachers to the idiots who write these type of policies instead he'd actually be right.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Awful.

[SWE]

Effectively a ban on common sense. Horrible policy

[Sopranos Republican]

Accidentally voted Freedom Policies, meant to say absolutely atrocious policies.

[RedSLC]

Accidentally voted Freedom Policies, meant to say absolutely atrocious policies.

Forgot to check the "change vote" box when I started this. Sorry about that, Matt.

[Sopranos Republican]

Accidentally voted Freedom Policies, meant to say absolutely atrocious policies.

Forgot to check the "change vote" box when I started this. Sorry about that, Matt.

No worries, no worries.

[Ebowed]

I've got zero tolerance for zero tolerance policies in schools.

[Wake Me Up When The Hard Border Ends]

Horrrible in most cases since they tend to be an overreaction to the most bizarre things. The thing is, kids say stupid things from time to time that shouldn't be taken too seriously.

I agree with this, nothing wrong with a knife to cut a birthday cake or a pretend gun from a Pop Tart! I'm a strong believer in strong punishments for severe crimes, such as death threats, drugs, brutally assaulting another student, but use common sense!

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Silly.  Why is this question broken down by party?

[Antonio the Sixth]

Absolutely horrible policies. 

[nclib]

Absolutely horrible. It blows minor incidents (and non-incidents) out of proportion.

Also, the emphasis is usually on the wrong items. For example, zero tolerance for cursing, while hesitating to punish bullying. Not only is that standard morally wrong, but antithetical to the standards of the real world, i.e. not preparing kids for adulthood.

On a larger scale, I'm not against appropriate discipline of children, but I think our society is too focused on stopping misbehaving children, where we don't focus enough on having punishments proportional to the offense. The fact that we use corporal punishment for children, but not for criminals, is because of this.

[Bojack Horseman]

I started school the year after Columbine and having had my entire education with "zero tolerance" in effect, I've come to the conclusion that Zero Tolerance = Zero Intelligence

[Marnetmar]

HP

[tik 🪀✨]

Terrible, and dumb in a uniquely American way. We have trouble seeing the forest for the trees. It's one of those policies that only serves to make everyone feel better without actually addressing the causes bad (or even simply different) behavior is a symptom of.

For example, I knew someone who once got his backpack searched. Inside, they discovered a knife. A paring knife. With no investigation by the school he was suspended for a month. Obviously this kid had brought a weapon to school and needed to be taught a lesson, mmhm. But, no, actually he had the knife because he was a little troubled and was cutting himself. He probably didn't even intend to bring it to school - why take the risk when your belongings are searched through often? So, yes, he was suspended, his grades suffered, he gained a poor reputation that followed him for years. Was the guidance counselor asked to speak with him? No. They didn't help him with his issues at all, they just punished him. So very dumb. So very American.

[Repub242]

There are times that I've seen it abused, but for the most part I support it.