Report: Zero Tolerance No Solution for SchoolsMay 17, 2001
Research Summary
A new report shows that zero-tolerance policies in schools are less likely to improve student behavior regarding alcohol or other drug use, or make schools safer, AScribe News reported May 15.According to the report "Zero Tolerance, Zero Evidence: An Analysis of School Disciplinary Practice," there is no credible evidence to prove that removing a student from school has improved school safety. Furthermore, the report's data indicates that school suspension and expulsion result in a number of negative outcomes for schools and students.
The report, conducted by the Indiana Education Policy Center at the Indiana University (IU) School of Education, reviewed the use of zero-tolerance policies since their inception in the 1980s.
"Zero tolerance is a political response, not an educationally sound solution," said IU professor Russell Skiba, director of the Safe and Responsive Schools Project in the IU School of Education and author of the report. "It sounds impressive to say that we're taking a tough stand against misbehavior, but the data say it simply hasn't been effective in improving student behavior or ensuring school safety."
The report is available on the Safe and Responsive Schools Project's website. A hard copy of the report can be ordered from the Indiana Education Policy Center by calling 812-855-1240.
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