Zero tolerance is swift, certain, and severe punishments for any form of behavioral misconduct. As an attempt to keep schools safe from violence, this strategy has unfortunately been met with little success. In addition to increased school behavior problems, zero tolerange policies have contributed to several negative side effects.
Related Briefs
Outside Resources
The Unintended Consequences of Taking a Hard Line on Student Discipline
This article and corresponding video talk about the long-lasting impact of zero-tolerance policies in schools. The video portrays multiple acts of restraint and physical violence towards students in response to violations of school rules, as well as testimonials from students and administrators regarding the harsh consequences of these policies and actions. The accompanying article details the current battle with these "no-nonsense" policies and the impact that zero-tolerance has on the "school-to-prison-pipeline" and other student outcomes.