Zero Tolerance?
The March, 1982 edition of The Atlantic Monthly ran an article by James Wilson and George Kelling suggesting, among other things, that buildings with one or two broken windows soon become buildings with many broken windows. In 1996, Kelling joined with Catherine Coles and published a book entitled "Fixing Broken Windows: Restoring Order and Reducing Crime in Our Communities." Many point to the article as the birth of the phrase "zero tolerance" and to the book as the impetus for the drive to enforce zero tolerance for any number of offenses in our schools.
"Consider a building with a few broken windows. If the windows are not repaired, the tendency is for vandals to break a few more windows. Eventually, they may even break into the building, and if it's unoccupied, perhaps become squatters or light fires inside." (From the Atlantic Monthly, March, 1982)
The argument appeared airtight: fix problems when they are small and you will prevent them from becoming large.
A few years after the publication of the book, the United States Department of Education issued a press release detailing a recent survey on "School Safety:"
"This study underscores the need for efforts to be tough minded when dealing with young people who are truly violent," said U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley. "At the same time we need to remember that some children can just get disconnected and lose their way. We need to continue efforts to reduce crime and discipline problems in schools. Smaller schools, schools-within-schools, strong conflict resolution programs, zero tolerance programs, increased school uniform policies and more after school learning centers are all positive steps being taken to address the needs of local communities." (US Dept. Education, March 19, 1998)
In light of many school offenses, the policy appeared to be a good one: weapons, alcohol, drugs, and harassment should not be permitted in schools. Period.
But, as Gloria Swanson once said, and every teacher knows well, "Never say never, for if you live long enough, chances are you will not be able to abide by its restrictions. Never is a long, undependable time, and life is too full of rich possibilities to have restrictions placed upon it."
Thousands of stories later, we are reconsidering.
- A kindergartner brought a plastic knife to school to "cut cookies" and was suspended.
- A senior was expelled for his squirt gum.
- An 8-year-old gets suspended for bringing Jell-O to school. The containers she was serving them in resembled the Jell-O shots you can get in some bars.
- Fifth-graders who placed toy plastic soldiers on their caps to support troops in Iraq were forced to cut off their miniature weapons.
In other words, thinking is once again permitted by educators.
Ten years ago, according to a U.S. Department of Education Survey, 78% of responding schools reportedly had some sort of "zero-tolerance" policy. Today, a backlash is growing. Ray Henry, writing for the Associated Press, notes "lawmakers in several states say the strict policies in schools have resulted in many punishments that lack common sense, and are seeking to loosen the restrictions."
Rhode Island state Senator Daniel Issa is sponsoring a bill which will require school districts themselves to decide upon punishments for weapon, violence and drug offenses.
The issue is gaining much attention. As one mother quoted by Ray Henry said, of course school must have rules, but those "rules must reflect that teenagers make mistakes."
With more control over the local school rules, educators should be more effective in achieving their educational goals.
The Advantage Press, Inc. publishes a number of "Discipline Learning Packets" that encourage creative solutions to behavior problems. Free samples are available at our website.
The Advantage Press is pleased to make available a new program designed to easily fit within the school week and provide all students with the tools necessary to make better eating choices. Healthy Food of the Week is a nutrition program designed by Blue Ribbon Award Winning PE Educators. It has been tried and tested in a number of diverse schools. It encourages students, parents and the school community to make healthy food choices a part of their daily routine.
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