One reason for the difficulty in forming a consistent definition is the diverse opinion people have about the Zero Tolerance Policy. Due to considerable research on the policy and its effectiveness, educators understand there are pros and cons to the policy. Although Skiba is an opponent of the policy, he does cite a few examples of how the policy can positively impact school safety. One specific example cited in Skiba’s research is in February 1999 when two middle school girls were expelled for making a bomb threat causing an evacuation of the students and staff. The school responded appropriately by offering an alternative placement and then reinstated the students one year later. However, because the school had a zero tolerance policy
