ERIC Number: ED504920
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2002
Pages: 11
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Survey of Key Education Stakeholders on Zero Tolerance Student Discipline Policies
Boylan, Ellen M.; Weiser, Jennifer
Education Law Center
In a survey commissioned by the Hamilton Fish Institute, Education Law Center (ELC), surveyed key national education stakeholder groups to determine their position on zero tolerance student discipline policies and school safety, and whether the organizations are involved in any work on zero tolerance policies. Implementation of these policies is causing an increase in exclusion of youth from educational opportunity. The survey was directed at a cross-section of national groups representing school governance, school administration, parents, teachers, student service personnel, and law enforcement. Organizations representing key education stakeholder groups were chosen for the survey. Thirteen out of seventeen national organizations surveyed responded to interview questions regarding their position on zero tolerance school discipline policies. The survey revealed a number of significant findings. First, most education stakeholder groups do not have an official position either supporting or opposing zero tolerance, and none are involved in work on the issue. Second, among the four organizations that can be said to actively support zero tolerance--American Federation of Teachers (AFT), National Education Association (NEA), National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), and National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)--the general consensus is that there are significant problems in the way such policies are written and implemented. Finally, the survey revealed that that no major stakeholder group supports the cessation of educational services to students who have been removed from school through expulsion or long-term suspension. (Contains 13 endnotes.)
Descriptors: Discipline, School Safety, Educational Opportunities, Zero Tolerance Policy, Public Education, Surveys, Stakeholders, Program Effectiveness, Interviews, Professional Associations, Problems, School Law, Program Implementation, Childrens Rights, Student Rights, Educational Policy, Discipline Policy, Discipline Problems, Punishment, Expulsion, Out of School Youth, Suspension
Education Law Center. 60 Park Place Suite 300, Newark, NJ 07102. Tel: 973-624-1815; Fax: 973-624-7339; e-mail: elc@edlawcenter.org; Web site: http://www.edlawcenter.org
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: George Washington University, Hamilton Fish Institute; US Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
Authoring Institution: Education Law Center
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A