Pubdate: Thu, 30 Sept 1999
Source: Orange County Register (CA)
Copyright: 1999 The Orange County Register
Contact:  http://www.ocregister.com/
Author: Ken Williams
Note: Mr.Williams is a member of the governing
         board of the Orange County Department of Education.

ZERO TOLERANCE: IS IT A GOOD OR BAD POLICY?

I believe our children are being held accountable to a different
standard than adults by zero tolerance policies.One obvious example,a
U.S.president who unmistakably lied to the American public and commits
a felony by perjuring himself in a court of law is allowed to serve in
public office,yet a senior in high school who demonstrates
significantly less malignant behavior is expelled from school?

In my opinion, zero tolerance, as good as it sounds in concept to some
people, in reality is a one-size-fits-all policy, impractical and, one
may argue, in violation of an individual's constitutional right
against unusual punishment.

This policy is more extreme than the three-strikes law because a
student does not get two more chances.

I believe the laws of our great country should be obeyed and taught in
our schools.

A policy, though, that is inflexible will ultimately harm our students
and families.

Ken Williams
Santa Ana

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