School's Zero Tolerance is Plain Lame

Zero tolerance takes all the thinking out of consequences. It is a complete cop out by the administration. Instead of looking at each situation by itself, they group each issue together. This lacks common sense

(PRWEB) March 23, 2005 -- For example, an 11 year-old was suspended 10 days for drawing a bomb, a nine and ten year-old were handcuffed and arrested for drawing stick figures with swords, an a 13 year-old was suspended for bringing a butterknife to school to cut an apple. She had braces and needed the apple to be cut. These are just three examples to this lame policy called zero tolerance.

Were there any lessons learned? what exactly are the lessons these adminstrators are trying to teach? School violence and bullying expert Derek Randel says it is about time these school administrators take a look at each case differently and on their own merit. How can a teenage girl from Georgia get expelled from school for defending herself from a gang of girls? Did the administrator take a look at the fact that she had reported being bullyed numerous times? At no time should anyone be expelled from school for defending themselves says Randel. "If the schools are ignoring the students call for help, then should she just stand around and take her beating like man?" asks Randel.

What should the schools be doing? How do you handle the issue of bullying? What can parents do to help the schools and students?

Contact Derek Randel for an interview on school violence, bullying, parenting, and of course the lame topic of zero tolerance.

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