Zero-Tolerance: Children Being Left Behind

New York City Department of Education needs to ban the zero tolerance discipline code. Often times, the policy is extreme and does not match the student’s offence, but what is the ‘zero tolerance policy’ and why should it be disowned from the New York City’s school disciplinary code? Zero tolerance is a severe form of punishment in which students are, usually, suspended or otherwise expelled from schools.  At first glance, the code appears understandable, even a reasonable policy; children are required to understand that breaking rules are imperatively dangerous and absolutely disruptive to the environment many of the teacher’s and faculty members try to uphold, except, that upon closer inspection- when it becomes apparent that the zero tolerance policy is an easy way of getting rid of minor problems- the zero tolerance policy does nothing for children; it does not help them academically, it does not help them on an emotional level, and it does not help them on a social level.

Zero-tolerance is accepted in most schools. According to the New York Department of Education and the center for safe and responsive schools, the policy can be issued when a student has in their possession: firearms, weapons other than fire arms, alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. Over the years, the policy has refined to punish students who are also violent or verbally aggressive. There are two types of suspension that are common with the zero-tolerance policy: the first is the principals’ suspension and second is the superintendent suspension. The principal suspension may last anywhere between one and five days. A superintendent suspension may last longer than a principle suspension, and can last anywhere between 30-90 days or a one year suspension without the possibility of early reinstatement.

Now, no one wants to see a child with firearms or with drugs. It is imperative that immediate action always be taken into consideration when they become a danger to the school environment. Students should know that bringing firearms and drugs can be detrimental to their safety, their peers’ safety, and the teacher’s safety. However, is the zero-tolerance policy the correct answer to a student’s rash behavior? Well, Jamie Tackket Koppel, director of Youth and Education Justice believes that the practices schools uphold are criminalizing children rather than educating and socializing them. “Missing an entire week of school makes it very difficult to keep up or catch up with what is being taught.”

                

      Schools are now reconsidering the zero-tolerance policy. Children are being suspended, even arrested for minor offences like cursing, or getting into minor fights with other students. Broward’s superintendent said, “It was wrong to keep saddling students with criminal records that can hurt their chances of getting a job or college financial aid.”

• C. Liu, John. The Suspension Spike: Changing The Discipline Culture in NYC's Middle School.. New York City: New York City Comptroller's Office, 2013. E-book.
• Koppel. T. Jamie. “Testimony of the Children’s Defense Fund – New       York.” Children’s Defense fund-New York. Children’s Defense fund New York, June 6, 2013. Cdfny.org. 2014
• "Zero Tolerance, Reconsidered." The New York Times. The New York Times, 05 Jan. 2014. Web. 02 May 2014.