Are zero tolerance policies making schools safer? by Miclo Gonzalez

miclogonzalez — 2024-05-15 18:20:20 UTC

miclogonzalez — 2024-05-15 18:20:35 UTC

miclogonzalez — 2024-05-15 18:20:47 UTC

miclogonzalez — 2024-05-15 18:21:42 UTC

"Across the country, schools are moving away from zero tolerance and trying to reduce the number of students they're suspending. The turnaround is a response to a growing body of research showing that zero-tolerance policies resulted in a disproportionate number of kids of color suspended, expelled, and referred to law enforcement." (Winter, APM Reports)

miclogonzalez — 2024-05-15 18:26:18 UTC

"A large body of research shows these zero-tolerance measures are not the most effective way to prevent violence in schools. In fact, some experts say those measures can counteract what they consider a crucial tool for protecting students as well as the larger community: threat assessments. When carried out correctly, threat assessments sort out behavior intended to cause real physical harm from simply disruptive acts and provide troubled students with the help they need." (Swaby, Propublica)

miclogonzalez — 2024-05-15 18:29:28 UTC

"The goal of any effective disciplinary system must be to ensure a safe school climate while avoiding policies and practices that may reduce students’ opportunity to learn. Although the goals of zero tolerance in terms of ensuring a safe and disciplined school climate must be supported, the implementation of zero tolerance has created continuing controversy by threatening the opportunity to learn for too many students." (American Psychological Association Zero Tolerance Task Force)