SC News

Zero Tolerance Policies in Schools May Be Losing Favor

South Carolina Public Radio | By Tut Underwood
Published July 24, 2017 at 4:40 PM EDT
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Courtesy PBS/Tavis Smiley Show

In many schools across the nation in the last few decades, concerns over discipline have led to so-called “zero tolerance” policies.  USC law Professor Derek Black says suspension and expulsion rates have doubled under zero tolerance policies in the past 30 years.  Texas educator Dr. Nesa Sasser Hartford believes that the policies are justified in three specific areas – drugs, guns and sexual improprieties.  Black says that zero tolerance is cheap and efficient in the short run, but ultimately expulsion is much more expensive than keeping kids in school.  Both educators agree that, at least in most cases, zero tolerance could become outdated in the coming years. 

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Tut Underwood
Tut Underwood is producer of South Carolina Focus, a weekly news feature. A native of Alabama, Tut graduated from Auburn University with a BA in Speech Communication. He worked in radio in his hometown before moving to Columbia where he received a Master of Mass Communications degree from the University of South Carolina, and worked for local radio while pursuing his degree. He also worked in television. He was employed as a public information specialist for USC, and became Director of Public Information and Marketing for the South Carolina State Museum. His hobbies include reading, listening to music in a variety of styles and collecting movies and old time radio programs.
See stories by Tut Underwood