Describe the rise of zero tolerance policies. What is a zero tolerance policy? When and where did zero tolerance policies originate? What factors contributed to their development?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

At a minimum, answers should describe zero tolerance policies as rules mandating the application of
predetermined consequences to rule breaking regardless of mitigating circumstances. In fact, in some
one-size-fits-all approach to punishment. The idea of zero tolerance policies originated in the war on
drugs during the mid-1980s. It was introduced to the educational system in 1986 with the passage of the
Drug Free Schools Act. The Drug Free Schools Act required a strict prohibition against drug and alcohol
possession on school grounds. Among the factors that contributed to the rise of zero tolerance policies
were the media portrayal of the juvenile super-predator and gang violence that were contrary to reality;
and, the creation of state-level legislation that mandated zero tolerance policies in schools within the
state.