Most school districts across the country have variations of what are commonly known as “zero tolerance” policies. (The name makes little sense given that we’re supposed to place a high value on tolerance.)
In an effort to avoid any accusation of discrimination, “zero tolerance” policies are favored since they eliminate human judgment or discretion.
In some cases and for some offenses, this policy has gone so far that school districts literally don’t care who is the perpetrator of the offense or the victim. Administrators just give out blanket punishments.
Consider the case of a 14 year-old, Sacramento, California boy with both mental and physical disabilities who was suspended for five days for defending himself. Yes, that’s right. Defending himself.
Read moreDo schools’ “zero tolerance” policies = zero common sense?