The Georgia Senate has passed a bill that could ease disciplinary actions in schools. The unanimous vote is said to put common sense decisions back into the hands of educators
The Zero Tolerance Discipline Bill also called "common sense legislation," would implement provisions to Zero Tolerance policies in Georgia schools. Lee County schools did away with their Zero Tolerance policy citing the same reasons this bill does - the circumstances are different for every infraction.
“Zero Tolerance, it's one of those things that had a great heart, it had a great heart. We're gonna nip this in the bud, we're gonna stop this from going on but it also painted schools and administrators into a corner. Well, they did this, we have to do that,” said High School Principal Kevin Dowling.
Under the legislation, teachers and principals would use their discretion to report a student, something Lee County schools already do - and like. Zero Tolerance policies have contributed to rising suspension and expulsion rates - up to 3.1 million students in 2000. Many of these kids are expelled for committing minor infractions, something that is also in Lee County's past which is why they steer clear of zero tolerance.
“There are things that are cut and dry, that need to be, you know, weapons at school and control substances and alcohol and those kinds of things that need to be addressed consistently, but there are times where there may be extenuating circumstances that are beyond our control that can be handled differently for different kids,” said Science Teacher Sheila Smith.
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