Saying that "zero tolerance" discipline policies at U.S. schools are unfairly applied "all too often," Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is
urging officials to rethink that approach. The Obama administration issued voluntary guidelines today that call for more training for teachers, and more clarity in defining security problems.
The move by the Education and Justice Departments comes after years of complaints from civil rights groups and others who say the policies are ineffective and take an unfair toll on minorities. The zero-tolerance approach has been blamed for boosting the number of suspensions and expulsions, and for equating minor infractions with criminal acts.
"A routine school disciplinary infraction should land a student in the principal's office, not in a police precinct," Attorney General Eric Holder said.
You can check out the Education Department's
