Zero Tolerance Policy

Are zero tolerance policies effective? No, I do not think that a zero tolerance policy can lead to safe schools. I think that a zero tolerance policy lacks flexibility and many times the students are accused for things that they should not be accused for. I agree with Alfie Kohn when he argues that “not only are zero-tolerance policies ineffective, they are also harmful-creating fear rather than a sense of security and trust and replacing programs that are effective in treating the root causes of youth violence” (Abbeduto & Symons, 2008, 5th ed., pp. 362-363). A zero tolerance policy causes a strict emphasis at the wrong root of the problem and causes the students to be in fear of things that would be considered innocent and not pertain to school violence. The policy does not focus on the main causes of youth violence because it is focusing on little things that are not causing the violence that is seen in schools today. Violence in school is not something that can be detected by monitoring the student’s every move. It would be more effective to focus on the main signals that come across as violent. According to Diversity of Learners and Settings, “There are good reasons to dwell on rampage school shootings even though they are rare. They are an unprecedented kind of adolescent violence. We do not understand why they happen and have barely begun to consider their long-term consequences” (Newman K., 2004, 444). Schools are among the safest places for children to be and with a zero tolerance policy many innocent students are blamed for things that should not be the focus of school violence.