What is Zero Tolerance Policies

Zero tolerance policies are ineffective at reducing violence in the school system; thus, the chapter will demonstrate the ways in which the punitive approach does more harm than good, particularly for marginalized youth. One of the concerns of the chapter is to exemplify the lack of evidence suggesting the effectiveness of zero tolerance policies as a means of less disruption, but rather as creating a criminogenic and more destructive impact on youth. Additionally, the chapter addresses overarching concern of how these policies impede the academic achievement of youth punitively punished. The chapter documents the disparities in treatment among youth through the implementation of zero tolerance policies, particularly youth of color, youth with disabilities, and youth with mental illness. The chapter concludes by offering alternatives for managing student behaviors through policy and programming that are deemed more effective and less harmful for youths.