Zero Tolerance Policy

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Remnants of zero tolerance policy trace back to the beginning of the twentieth century as an attempt to support the “Get Tough on Crime” approach. This movement ultimately led to the widespread use of zero tolerance policies across the country based upon the Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994. This act attempted to positively affect the educational process by enhancing the efficiency of programming and reinforcing school safety (Mental Health Board of Directors, 2015). As a result, the Gun-Free Schools Act (1994) was signed by President Clinton mandating states to enforce a one-year expulsion for the possession of firearms on school property (Teske, 2011). To ensure state compliance, those that refused this legislation lost federal funding. …show more content…
This event obtained national media attention that resulted in backlash towards security measures being administered throughout schools. In response, federal and state officials increased funding to provide enhanced security measures in efforts to avoid violence. The use of law enforcement officers became the most popular measure, nearly tripling from 1997 (Teske, 2011). The extent of this event confirmed the rise in violence that could only be resolved through strict justice, which could be obtained through zero tolerance. Policy that was once created for firearm control developed into validations covering a variety of weapons and behaviors. Sporadic events, such as the Columbine shooting, drove the growing support and recognition of zero tolerance policy. The Gun-Free Schools Act (1994) was revised under the No Child Left Behind Act (2001), creating new legislation that required mandatory referral of any serious offense committed by a student to the juvenile justice system (Teske, 2011). Unfortunately, this new legislation launched developments of the school-to-prison pipeline …show more content…
The most supportive stakeholders of zero tolerance are teachers and school administrators. These individuals feel that such policies decrease violence, which is crucial in maintaining structured environments that promote learning for all students. School administrators rely on zero tolerance policies as a deterrence tactic that enhances student behavior. Some school officials have expressed the effectiveness of zero tolerance policies by claiming that they create clear disciplinary expectations for students by informing students on behaviors that will and will not be tolerated in school (Boylan & Weiser, 2002). Other administrators have mixed perceptions that result in conflicting interpretations and execution of zero tolerance policies (Dixon,
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