Running Head: The Ineffectiveness of Zero Tolerance Discipline

The Ineffectiveness of Zero Tolerance Discipline

Yesenia Madrigal
California State University Dominguez Hills

Running Head: The Ineffectiveness of Zero Tolerance Discipline

An issue that has affected the U.S education system since the late 1980s has been deciding if
schools should enforce zero tolerance policy. When students are being disciplined it is
imperative that educators and school administrators see that the punishment corresponds to the
fault that the student(s) committed. Unfortunately, these factors are often overlooked and
students are punished unfairly, and learn nothing from their time off school, hence, returning
with the same behavior issues. This is why zero tolerance is currently an important issue in our
education system. Such discipline policies fail to take into consideration the mental, emotional,
and academical repercussions that students have to deal with.
Should all actions be punished equally?
One of the important issues that zero tolerance policies bring forth is that the students
involved in an incident are reprimanded equally. Other factors such as the students behavior,
academic, and social records are not taken into consideration. The philosophy of zero tolerance
is to treat all incidents as worthy of severe intervention, (Skiba, 2014) this points out the fact no
matter what the incident, students all around the U.S have had to endure the disproportionate
punishments of zero tolerance policies. A case in point is the one mentioned by Skiba in which a
student who took out a knife from a lunch box to cut chicken, faced suspension or expulsion
from the school for doing so. A similar case pointed out was one in which a student also faced
suspension or expulsion from school for simply calling his/her mother who was stationed in Iraq
at the time. The list of cases goes on and on which should bring some light to school
administrators to minimize the severe punishments given to students. If a student brought a knife
for lunch, it would be best to first observe their intentions (if he/she did it to hurt anyone) and to
also observe their emotional and social behaviors. If the student shows no sign of wanting to hurt
others, then the principal could make the parents aware of the dangers of putting a knife in the

Running Head: The Ineffectiveness of Zero Tolerance Discipline

lunchbox of their child. Furthermore, the principal should advise the parent to pre-cut their
childs lunch. There is no need to immediately suspend or expel a student from school if they
have previously shown to be well-behaved and responsible. Every student is different and
unique, this is why behavior policies should not treat all students equally. There should be
individualized behavior policies based on students behavior and social record.
Are some students being targeted more than others?
Is race a factor that school administrators take into account? Proponents of zero tolerance
would say no, while others would say yes. The question is in itself a slippery slope because it can
lead to other prejudices and misconceptions that society forms about certain races. In an online
report Are Zero Tolerance Policies Effective in the Schools? the American Psychological
Association addresses the topic. The association brings up the disproportionate levels of African
American students that fall into zero tolerance policies. However, reasons as to why this is
occurring are also reported in the article such as lack of teacher preparation in classroom
management, lack of training in culturally competent practices, or racial stereotypes. (2008).
This goes to show that some students are being punished unfairly under zero tolerance simply
because the instructor isnt culturally proficient or hasnt learned proper classroom management
skills to lead his/her students to success. And it is imperative that we look into the number of
students in each race who are affected most by zero tolerance as implementing such policy can
have serious social and emotional effects on the students. The greater number there are of
students from a race that are being suspended and expelled from schools, the greater the biases
and prejudices are created toward them. In middle school alone black youth are suspended
nearly four times more often than white youth, and Latino youth are roughly twice as likely to be
expelled or suspended than white youth.(vera.org). Consequently, this could be a significant

Running Head: The Ineffectiveness of Zero Tolerance Discipline

factor that may possibly contribute to young students academic and personal disposition as they
continue to be categorized and targeted ineffectively and unfairly.
What do students gain from zero tolerance policies?
Proponents of zero tolerance would defend the thought that all incidents are worthy of
severe intervention. (Skiba, 2014). Meaning that no matter what the issue a student is involved
in, they are not allowed any strikes and are immediately suspended or expelled from the school.
Moreover, supporters of zero tolerance policies in schools go on to affirm that when
troublemaking students are set aside from school and are suspended or expelled, schools are
made safer. What they fail to take into account is that in many cases the punishments given to
students are more severe than the actual fault they committed. Is it fair that a student was
punished because they didnt know they would be punished for using a knife to cut their lunch?
It is necessary that school, administrators and teachers demonstrate fairness and show students
what it means to be understanding and not unfair. What students need more of are examples of
how to be good decision makers which will help them in their academic, and personal lives. If
students are continuously being suspended and expelled from schools then staying at home and
indulging in trivial activities-such as playing video games- wont help them. When students are
disciplined under zero tolerance, they are simultaneously being deprived from the opportunity to
converse with professionals such as school counselors and psychologists who can help students
control their reactions and emotions to difficult situations. They are also being deprived from
keeping up with the course material which puts them at a disadvantage. As students return to
school post suspension or expulsion, they could be unmotivated to engage in the lessons as they
feel far behind in comparison to their peers. This is yet another reason as to why students should

Running Head: The Ineffectiveness of Zero Tolerance Discipline

stay in school and be monitored by school counselors and other support staff until they are no
longer a distraction to their classmates and teacher.
Conclusion
Clearly, zero tolerance policies should not be enforced in schools because they have serious
effects on students. These policies only hinder the growth of a student and the effects of these
policies can last a lifetime such as low self esteem, depression, or rebellion. From elementary
school until high school, schools should be nurturing and should motivate students to change
their behavior for the better. All of this can be achieved through properly structuring their
discipline policies.

Running Head: The Ineffectiveness of Zero Tolerance Discipline

References
Are zero tolerance policies effective in the schools?: An evidentiary review and
recommendations. (2008). American Psychologist, 63(9), 852-862. doi:10.1037/0003066x.63.9.852
Kang-Borwn, J., Trone, J., Fratello, J., & Daftary-Kapur, T. (2013, December). A generation
later: What we've learned about zero tolerance in schools. Retrieved from
http://www.vera.org/sites/default/files/resources/downloads/zero-tolerance-in-schoolspolicy-brief.pdf
Skiba, R. J. (2014). The failure of zero tolerance. Reclaiming Children and Youth, 22(4), 27-33.