The implementation of the zero tolerance policy seems to be complicated by school administrators’ fear of violence, resulting in exorbitant suspensions and expulsions of students committing minor infractions against school policy. As these negative incidents involving unjustified suspensions of students increase, the drop-out and failure rates will continue to increase as well. However, the incidence of violence and general disobedience in schools must be addressed. Zero tolerance, if focused specifically on verified violent plans or acts, could be an effective policy for dealing with violent behavior and preventing some violence before it occurs. The problem with zero tolerance lies in the broad stroke with punishments generalized for
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One such critic, John Derbyshire, writes, “Schools’ reliance on the zero-tolerance approach reveals the detrimental influence of liberal ideology on American society: School administrators, seeped in liberal values, cannot be trusted to use sound judgment regarding school discipline; therefore, an inflexible policy has been created to substitute for common sense” (Barbour 27). Liberal ideology may play a part in the overall breakdown of safety in schools, but that generalization does not elucidate the complexity of the matter. He goes on to state, “Instead of relying on a rigid, bureaucratic policy like zero tolerance, schools must impart moral values, good manners, and respect for authority while punishing only those few students who genuinely behave inappropriately” (Barbour 27). This statement does a better job of identifying the underlying issue responsible for the increase in all disruptive behavior, including violence in schools. Schools definitely should encourage appropriate behavior by reinforcing good morals, values and respect for authority, but the responsibility of instilling those values in the minds of students lies with the parents. If these values are not initially taught in the home, school officials can rarely succeed in convincing a child of their worth. Most children behave the way they see their parents behave. If their parents treat others with respect and kindness, the students will likely do the same. However, if the students witness behaviors contrary to respect and kindness, they are typically disposed to duplicate that behavior. Thus, educators are faced with a tremendous challenge with these students. Regrettably, any policy implemented by officials will do little to combat
One such critic, John Derbyshire, writes, “Schools’ reliance on the zero-tolerance approach reveals the detrimental influence of liberal ideology on American society: School administrators, seeped in liberal values, cannot be trusted to use sound judgment regarding school discipline; therefore, an inflexible policy has been created to substitute for common sense” (Barbour 27). Liberal ideology may play a part in the overall breakdown of safety in schools, but that generalization does not elucidate the complexity of the matter. He goes on to state, “Instead of relying on a rigid, bureaucratic policy like zero tolerance, schools must impart moral values, good manners, and respect for authority while punishing only those few students who genuinely behave inappropriately” (Barbour 27). This statement does a better job of identifying the underlying issue responsible for the increase in all disruptive behavior, including violence in schools. Schools definitely should encourage appropriate behavior by reinforcing good morals, values and respect for authority, but the responsibility of instilling those values in the minds of students lies with the parents. If these values are not initially taught in the home, school officials can rarely succeed in convincing a child of their worth. Most children behave the way they see their parents behave. If their parents treat others with respect and kindness, the students will likely do the same. However, if the students witness behaviors contrary to respect and kindness, they are typically disposed to duplicate that behavior. Thus, educators are faced with a tremendous challenge with these students. Regrettably, any policy implemented by officials will do little to combat