The following appeared in a New York Times editorial:
Schools are rethinking "zero tolerance" discipline policies under which children have been suspended, even arrested, for cursing, getting into shoving matches and other misbehavior that once were resolved with detention or parent meetings.
These reappraisals are long overdue. Studies have shown suspensions and expulsions do nothing to improve the school climate, while increasing the risk that children will experience long-term social and academic problems. Federal data also indicate minority students are disproportionately singled out.
These policies date to 1994, when Congress required states receiving federal education money to expel students for bringing guns onto school property. States and local governments broadened and distorted this mandate to expel children for minor infractions. Schools also began stationing police officers in hallways, which increased arrests for nonviolent behavior.
The problem became clear three years ago when the Council of State Governments Justice Center, a nonprofit policy group, issued a study of school discipline policies in Texas. It showed nearly 6 in 10 public school students were suspended or expelled at least once between seventh and 12th grade. Only a fraction were for serious criminal conduct.
A new state law in California requires schools to try alternative strategies before suspending students for nonviolent infractions.
Change is also afoot in Broward County, Fla.The district is trying to keep troubled children in school where they can receive counseling and other help. Broward's superintendent said it was wrong to keep saddling students with criminal records.
School systems across the country should pay attention.