Zero Tolerance Policy

Anna, Kelly, Maressa, Melody

Did it happen? In the Headlines ...

Cypress HS student suspended for disarming gunman? :

A 16-year-old

Cypress Lake High School student, who wrestled a loaded revolver away from a teen threatening to shoot, is being punished.
According to the referral, he was suspended for being part of an "incident" where a weapon was present and given an "emergency
suspension." Florida

Haughton Student Expelled For Having Midol At School: 14 year old

offering a single Midol pill to a fellow student was expelled for possession of a controlled substance.

Boy suspended for chewing breakfast pastry into a gun shape will
get hearing: A 7 year old boy was suspended from school after chewing his Pop-Tart-like pastry into the shape of a gun.

In the Headlines Part 2

Student Suspended for Breaking School's Zero-Tolerance NoHugging Policy: A 14-year-old Florida student who hugged his friend was suspended as a result of his
middle school's zero-tolerance no-hugging policy.

Eagen: School slaps teen for doing the right thing:

North Andover High School

stripped Erin Cox, above, of her position as captain of the volleyball team and suspended her for five games after she got swept
up in an underage drinking bust while picking up a friend who was too drunk to drive at a party just as police arrived.

Queens girl Alexa Gonzalez hauled out of school in handcuffs

after getting caught doodling on desk: A 12-year-old Queens girl was hauled out of school in
handcuffs for an artless offense - doodling her name on her desk in erasable marker

Kindergartner arrested?!

How effective is zero

tolerance policy?

Zero Tolerance: What is it?

Initially defined as:
consistently enforced nonnegotiable suspension and expulsion
policies in response to weapons, drugs, and violent acts in
the school setting

Currently refers to:

school or district-wide policies that mandate pre-determined,
typically harsh consequences or punishments for a wide
degree of rule violation and misbehaviors
Browne-Dianis, Judith. (2011). Stepping back from zero tolerance. Educational Leadership, 69(1), 24-28.

History
1. Started in early 90s
2. National Policy: Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994.
minimum 1 year calendar expulsion
referral to criminal/juvenile justice system
state law authorizes modification on case by case basis

3. School districts were left on their own to interpret the

law's application to other offenses
4. Most districts toughened policies after Columbine

Prevalence of Zero Tolerance Policies

in U.S. Schools
94% for firearms
91% for weapons other than firearms
88% for drugs
87% for alcohol
79% for violence
79% for tobacco
U.S. Department of Education (1997). Principal/School Disciplinarian Survey on School Violence.
Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics.

Methods of Enforcement
Policies vary --check school handbook
Highly stringent
Mandatory suspensions*
Mandatory expulsions
Police arrests

Less stringent
visitor sign-in
closed campus (lunch)
controlled building access
campus police/law enforc.
mandatory school uniforms
use of metal detectors
surveillance cameras
locker searches

Different perspectives...

How can schools create a

positive culture when they treat
students like criminals?
- Judith Browne-Dianis

Different perspectives...

Principals: Mixed responses

Students: Enforcement issues
Urban vs. Rural
NASP: Proven discipline strategies that provide more effective
alternatives to broad zero tolerance policies should be implemented
to ensure that all students have access to an appropriate education
in a safe environment.

http://www.nasponline.org/resources/factsheets/zt_fs.aspx
Dunbar, C. & Villarruel, F. A. (2010). What a difference the community makes: Zero tolerance interpretation and
implementation. Family & Excellence in Education, 37(4), 351-359.
McNeal, L. & Dunbar Jr., D. (2010) In the eyes of the beholder: urban student perceptions of zero tolerance policy.
Urban Education, 45(3), 293-311.

Zero Tolerance and Special Needs

IDEA
Despite IDEA procedures, zero tolerance policies are
disproportionately applied to those with special needs
(especially those with emotional and behavioral
disorders)
Discipline practices place students with disabilities
outside of the appropriate education setting
Restricting access to education worsens the problem
American Psychological Association Zero Tolerance Task Force. (2008). Are zero tolerance policies effective in schools? American Psychologist
63(9). 852-862.

Pros & Cons of Zero Tolerance Policy

Cons

Pros

Removes difficult students

from school
Fast-acting intervention that
sends a clear message to the
students
In theory it is believed that
policy addresses everyone
equally

http://www.nasponline.
org/resources/factsheets/zt_fs.aspx

Racial disproportionality
A greater impact on educational outcomes for students
with disabilities
Inconsistent application: left to discretion of staff
members
Increasing rates of suspensions and expulsions
The lengths suspensions/expulsions are increasing
High rate of repeat suspensions--it does not change the
behavior of challenging students
Elevated dropout rates due to repeated suspensions and
expulsions
Alternative educational opportunities for those who are
suspended/expelled is limited

Suspension Statistics
Suspensions are increasing at a staggering rate...
2003-2008, Texas = 43% more
2001-2003, Chicago= 4x as much
2000-2005, NYC = long term suspension
increased by 76%
1. Texas Agency Education, n.d.
2. Illinois State Board of Education, n.d.
3. Advancement Project, 2010

SES & Suspension

low-income students have higher suspension rates
In addition.
High-income Students : more mild and moderate consequences
(e.g., teacher lecture, moving desk)
Low-income Students : more severe consequences
(e.g., scorned in front of class, made to stand in hall all day, personal belongings
searched)
Brantlinger, E. (1991). Social class distinctions in adolescents reports of problems and punishment in school. Behavioral Disorders, 17,
36-46.
Skiba, R. J., Peterson, R. L., & Williams, T. (1997). Office referrals and suspension: Disciplinary intervention in middle schools.
Education and Treatment of Children, 20 (3), 295-315.

Race & Suspension

Black students in the US were more than 3x more likely to be
suspended than their white peers (2006-2007) U.S. Department of Education,
2006

Students of color are referred more often & receive harsher

consequences than their white peers for the same behaviors
Advancement Project. (2011) Zero tolerance in Philadelphia: Denying educational opportunities and creating a pathway to
prison

Investigations of student behavior, race, and discipline have

found no evidence that African Americans misbehave at a
significantly higher rate McCarthy, J. D., & Hoge, D. R. (1987). The social construction of school
punishment: Racial disadvantage out of universalistic process. Social Forces, 65, 1101-1120.

Research Findings...
APA Zero Tolerance Task Force 2008 found:
zero tolerance does not improve school safety
students who have been suspended/expelled are more
likely to drop out of school
Students who feel less connected to school are more likely
to engage in risky behaviors, violence, and alcohol or
substance abuse
Arrested youth may have a lifelong record which affects
college/job prospects
American Psychological Association Zero Tolerance Task Force. (2008). Are zero tolerance policies effective in schools? An evidentiary review and
recommendations. American Psychologist, 63(9), 852-862

Developmental considerations
Eriksons stages of psychosocial development:
Initiative vs. Guilt (3-5 years)
Industry vs. Inferiority (6-10 years)
Identity vs. Role confusion (10-20 years)

Activity
As school psychologists, how would you
respond to the situation?
What would you have done differently?
What would you tell your administrators?
(Advice, consultation)
How would you follow-up with the student
and parents?

Alternatives
Districts searching for alternatives to
harsh disciplines due to high rates of
suspensions/expulsions
Exploring preventative measures
Testing & implementing policies with
graduated consequences system
Working to improve school climate
and culture
Browne-Dianis, J. (2011). Stepping back from zero tolerance. Educational
Leadership, 69(1), 24-28.

Looking at the Bigger Picture

students attitude & social
emotional development
special education
overall impact of offense to
placement
school and community
seriousness of offense
whether student has good
grades, participates in
circumstances
extracurriculars, has teacher &
parent support
students prior history of
offenses

students age

Kajs, L.T. ( 2006). Reforming the discipline management process in schools: An alternative approach to zero tolerance. Educational
Research Quarterly, 29(4), 16-27.

Violence Prevention

Curriculum on prevention and self-regulation skills

Increase number of school counselors, psychologists, social workers
Increase family and community involvement
Implementation of effective school-wide discipline practices.
Program Examples:
-Second Step Curriculum
-Resolving Conflict Creatively Program (RCCP)
-Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS)

http://www.nasponline.org/resources/factsheets/zt_fs.aspx

Social Skills Training & Positive

Behavioral Supports
Interventions help students with behavioral/emotional
disorders
Focus on and reinforce positive behaviors
Program Examples:
-Project ACHIEVE
-Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
-Saturday Morning Alternative Reach Out and Teach Program (SMART)
http://www.nasponline.org/resources/factsheets/zt_fs.aspx
Villarruel, F.A. & Dunbar, C. (2006) Culture, race, and zero tolerance policy: the implications. Journal of Forensic
Psychology Practice, 6(2), 53-63.

Early Intervention Strategies

Target low levels of student inappropriate behavior
before it escalates
Teach children more appropriate ways of interacting &
handling conflicts
Peer Mediation
Goal to reduce the consequences in the future
Program examples
-First Step to Success
-Positive Adolescent Choices Training
http://www.nasponline.org/resources/factsheets/zt_fs.aspx
Browne-Dianis, J. (2011). Stepping back from zero tolerance. Educational Leadership, 69(1), 24-28.

As school psychologists:
Know the zero tolerance policies at your
school/district: refer to school handbook
Be familiar with alternatives: PBIs
Use your pjs
Leave discipline to administrators

In conclusion...

Zero tolerance policies started out with good intentions, but it has become
applied so broadly which has lead to negative outcomes.

Numerous studies examining the effectiveness of zero tolerance policies,

found that most policies were not effective in increasing the safely of the
school (American Psychologist Association Zero Tolerance Task Force,
2008).

It is important for administrators and school personnel to foster an

environment focused on desired behavior rather than amplifying the
undesired behavior (Dunbar & Villaruel, 2010).