Keely Podoll
Speech
Zero-Tolerance Policies
Zero-tolerance policies are used to keep schools a safe learning environment by keeping weapons and drugs out of them. However, is that what they’re actually used for? A zero-tolerance policy in schools is a policy of punishing any infraction of a rule, ignorance, or extenuating circumstances. In schools, common zero-tolerance policies concern possession or use of illicit drugs or weapons. Zero-tolerance policies are not the best way to keep schools safe because minorities are targeted, children are being expelled for accidentally bringing a “weapon” to school, and school administrators misuse these policies.
It is proven that children that are minorities and children that have emotional disabilities are targeted by these zero-tolerance policies. Suspensions for students in kindergarten through 12th grade have at least doubled since the 1970s for minority students. There was one study in which 47% of elementary/middle school students and 73% of high school students with emotional disabilities were expelled or suspended from school. A different study in Kansas showed that children with emotional disabilities were 12 times more likely to be …show more content…
The 1999 shootings at Colorado’s Columbine High School produced widespread support for zero tolerance and other “get-tough” programs designed to keep another such tragedy from occurring. “If you have a weapon, you will be expelled,” explains Meyer about the weapons policy at Clairemont High. (McCollum, Sean) It makes sense that parents as well as students would want anyone with a weapon or drugs be expelled, but a pop tart is not a weapon, a quarter inch toy army gun is not a weapon, and a camping utensil is not a weapon. If it was a rifle or something that could pose a huge threat to anyone in the school, it would make sense that that person would be expelled. However, like I said, it has to be a legitimate
Speech
Zero-Tolerance Policies
Zero-tolerance policies are used to keep schools a safe learning environment by keeping weapons and drugs out of them. However, is that what they’re actually used for? A zero-tolerance policy in schools is a policy of punishing any infraction of a rule, ignorance, or extenuating circumstances. In schools, common zero-tolerance policies concern possession or use of illicit drugs or weapons. Zero-tolerance policies are not the best way to keep schools safe because minorities are targeted, children are being expelled for accidentally bringing a “weapon” to school, and school administrators misuse these policies.
It is proven that children that are minorities and children that have emotional disabilities are targeted by these zero-tolerance policies. Suspensions for students in kindergarten through 12th grade have at least doubled since the 1970s for minority students. There was one study in which 47% of elementary/middle school students and 73% of high school students with emotional disabilities were expelled or suspended from school. A different study in Kansas showed that children with emotional disabilities were 12 times more likely to be …show more content…
The 1999 shootings at Colorado’s Columbine High School produced widespread support for zero tolerance and other “get-tough” programs designed to keep another such tragedy from occurring. “If you have a weapon, you will be expelled,” explains Meyer about the weapons policy at Clairemont High. (McCollum, Sean) It makes sense that parents as well as students would want anyone with a weapon or drugs be expelled, but a pop tart is not a weapon, a quarter inch toy army gun is not a weapon, and a camping utensil is not a weapon. If it was a rifle or something that could pose a huge threat to anyone in the school, it would make sense that that person would be expelled. However, like I said, it has to be a legitimate