Student suicide blamed in part on zero tolerance policy
Several years ago, I wrote a story about zero tolerance policies that had produced record high rates of suspensions and expulsions in school systems around Maryland. Many school systems defended their practices at the time, although since then some school systems have changed course and reduced suspensions for non-violent offenses. Yesterday, the Washington Post reported that the strict discipline policies of Fairfax County played a part in a student taking his life.
The high school freshman, a good student, an athlete and a Boy Scout, was suspended for buying a substance that was legal. But his action resulted in two months out of school and finally a transfer to another school, even though he had no previous history of discipline issues. Many school systems have instituted transfers to schools, taking students away from their friends, the communities they have grown up in and their support systems. The results, some experts believe, can be harmful for students who are likely to fall behind in their work and feel anger. In this case, the student felt such isolation of not being able to take part in extra curricular activities and his friends for months sent him into a spiral that ended in suicide.
Baltimoresun.com's 
Comments
This entry fails to add substance to the debate on the effectiveness of No Tolerance policies. Without more details on the circumstances surrounding the school's actions it is impossible to judge if they were justified or not.
Posted by: Mike | February 21, 2011 9:51 PM
So called zero tolerance policies only seem to be an issue when they are applied to "good kids" or, in this case, a boy scout. No one seems to complain when they are applied to students with long histories of behavioral or psychological issues. To me this smacks of classism or racism or some other ism. When do we either take a stand and say that there is a line which, when crossed, will cause an automatic reaction OR that in fact all reactions will be at the digression of those who are in power? I don't care which route we take, but let's not pretend that this is some type of shocking issue. It's the hypocrisy which drives me round the bend.
And before I get flamed for being uncaring, I am not. I am shocked that any person believes that the best course of action is to deprive us of their being. I understand how hopless things can feel at times, but I wish that we grownups would wake up and realize what crisis our young people are in at the best of times, let alone when something major like this happens. I am sad for the families and loved ones, sad for the students who are caught up in our poor choice making and seemingly indifferent stances. I am sad that this child will not be around to share themselves with us. It it our loss.
Posted by: Who am I now BC? | February 22, 2011 5:02 PM