Test Pattern #21: Zero Tolerance
In the latest Test Pattern I talk about zero tolerance in our schools.
I’ve absolutely had it with “Zero Tolerance” policies. Communities across our country are forcing their government funded schools to impose insane automatic rules, and in most cases the administrators are not applying them correctly.
You can hear what was on my mind at the time in the latest episode of Test Pattern. You can subscribe at ISPN Media, or you can click the ODEO player link below.
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The full transcript of the podcast is included in the extended entry.
I’ve absolutely had it with “Zero Tolerance” policies. Communities across our country are forcing their government funded schools to impose insane automatic rules, and in most cases the administrators are not applying them correctly.
When a student brings a small plastic bread knife in his lunch to spread peanut butter, he should not be expelled because of a zero-tolerance weapons policy. When children are playing with squirt guns, they should not be expelled for possessing a firearm or firearm facsimile at school.
What ever happened to common sense? I wonder if school administrators ever had any, and whether or not they can regain what they have already lost because of zero-tolerance.
In November of 1997, 6 year old Seamus Morris was suspended for half a day for giving another student a lemon drop. Teachers did not recognize the brand and said that a child who brings candy to school is comparable to a teen who takes a gun to school.
Huh?
In November of 2002, 9 year old Jonathan Cross dressed up in his duck hunting outfit for his school’s “Camouflage Day”. He was thrilled to show his school spirit. While waiting for class to begin, he felt something in his pocket and realized it was a shotgun shell. The boy was taken to the principal’s office where he was suspended for five days because of the school’s zero-tolerance policy for possessing weapons and explosive devices.
In December of 2003, Amanda Stiles who suffers from headaches, was expelled from Parkway High for one year for having over-the-counter Advil in her possession. School administrators say they were only following a state law that requires a one-year expulsion for possessing medication on campus.
It sounds to me like a few school administrators forgot to take their own medication…
In February of 2005, Robert Gomez was suspended for 10 days from Liberty Middle School. Robert found a rubber band and slipped it on his wrist. His science teacher noticed the rubber band asked for it. Robert then tossed it on to her desk. He received his zero-tolerance suspension for threatening his teacher with a weapon.
In September of 2006, Ben Lewandowski was suspended for three days for wearig a “Remember 9/11″ t-shirt. Lincoln Park High School allows t-shirts that bear the school’s mascot or school organizations, but has zero-tolerance for t-shirts that reflect oyour patriotism to your country.
I wonder if the Lincoln Park High School mascot is the bird? They certainly make me want to fly one in their direction.
And finally, just this week, eleven year old Kevin Cottle was arrested for using a toy balloon slingshot to hit another student in the chest. He faces second-degree felony charges of shooting or throwing a deadly missile. Tavares Middle School is also starting the expulsion process stating that their school has a zero-tolerance policy for weapons.
When it comes to zero-tolerance, I have a better idea. Random searches. Yes. You heard me. I think they should conduct random searches of the administrators and teachers at every school that has any zero-tolerance policy. Any teacher or administrator found with nail files, scissors, letter openers, ball point pens, or cigarette lighters, should be sent home for five days and suspended without pay for possessing a weapon or explosive device on campus.
The only way to make zero-tolerance stop is to make it apply to everyone, with ZERO exceptions.
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