ZERO TOLERANCE Rosiland Jackson Shaniekiwa Lester Background Zero

ZERO TOLERANCE Rosiland Jackson & Shaniekiwa Lester

Background Zero Tolerance was birth in 1982 in a New Jersey school by a principal named Joe Clark. Mr. Clark suspended a massive number of students for fighting, being disrespectful, and vulgar behavior. He became nationally known when he was portrayed in the movie “Lean on Me” starring Morgan Freeman.

Reasons for Zero Tolerance University of Iowa shooting – November 1, 1991 Concordia University massacre – August 24, 1992 Simon’s Rock College of Bard shooting – December 14, 1992 Richland High School shooting – 1995. Frontier Junior High shooting – February 2, 1996 1997 Pearl High School shooting, October 1, 1997 Heath High School shooting, December 1, 1997 Jonesboro massacre – March 24, 1998 Thurston High School shooting – May 21, 1998 Columbine High School massacre – 1999 W. R. Myers High School shooting – April 28, 1999 Heritage High School shooting – May 20, 1999

PROS of Zero Tolerance Provide a Safe Environment Everyone receives the same punishment Federal grant money given to schools that have a Zero Tolerance Policy Removes disruptive students from the classroom Shifts responsibility of discipline on the parents and not on the school Students confide in teachers, administrators about a students’ behavior

PROS of Zero Tolerance Deters bullying Deters bad behavior before it becomes habitual Federal education funding Students can focus on learning

CONS of Zero Tolerance Does not address the real reason for students behavior Denies students “Due Process” Policy is ineffective because of the severe punishment Increases school drop out rate Gives the student more opportunity to commit other offense and or crime Increased the level of violence Unfairly applied (Black, Latino, and students with Disabilities

CONS of Zero Tolerance Punishment is too severe The policy increased the level of violence in schools Students are not learning because they are not in school School are not addressing the underlining issues of why the student is misbehaving Mental stability of the student is over looked

Questions Do you think that Zero Tolerance Policy is effective in the age of Social Media? If you had the opportunity to revised the Zero Tolerance Policy, what revision would you make?

References Shah, N, & Mc. Neil, M 2013, 'Discipline Policies Squeezed As Views on What Works', Education Week, 32, 16, pp. 4 -11, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost. Web 9 April. 2013 Greg, T, @gtoppo, & USA, T n. d. , 'Doctors oppose automatic school suspensions', USA Today, n. d. , Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost. Web. 9 April. 2013 "Zero Tolerance Policy Cartoon. " Teens at Risk. Ed. Stephen P. Thompson. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 16 Apr. 2013.