A list of zero-tolerance success stories would be short. I'm a school teacher myself (6th grade special education) and I've seen enough of zero-tolerance policies to know they don't work. Nor are they usually real zero-tolerance policies, because administrators don't want to follow the zero-tolerance nonsense, either. That means many things get handled informally. That's fine, except that the ZT policy is still there and can be applied to prop up lousy or biased decisions later if a teacher or administrator sees a need.
Posted by
Anthony Lloyd-Rees, Vancouver, Canada. on June 7, 2008:
Every story of ZT is a success story, but none more successful than the reign of Vlad the Impaler.
His obedient citizens enjoyed a tranquil and peaceful existence as a result his ZT. There was no crime, sedition or unrest. No overpopulation problems, no shortages of consumables. The capital city even boasted a solid gold, gem encrusted drinking cup at the public water fountain that was never stolen during his reign.
Although it is fiction, Monty Python's "Happy Valley" depicts a kingdom populated solely with happy people. The discontents and grumblers were all put to death, along with the trade union leaders.
Both Wise King Otto and Vlad the Impaler realised the enormous financial benefits of not having to maintain due process. The judiciary system costs billions, ZT costs nothing. Every instance of ZT however trivial, saves money. Is there any better way to measure success?
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Vlad the Impaler? It's been quite awhile, but I think that was the principal's name at my high school. -rc
Is There Too Much ZT in True? - Comments
Posted by Don, Virden, IL on June 7, 2008:
A list of zero-tolerance success stories would be short. I'm a school teacher myself (6th grade special education) and I've seen enough of zero-tolerance policies to know they don't work. Nor are they usually real zero-tolerance policies, because administrators don't want to follow the zero-tolerance nonsense, either. That means many things get handled informally. That's fine, except that the ZT policy is still there and can be applied to prop up lousy or biased decisions later if a teacher or administrator sees a need.
Posted by Anthony Lloyd-Rees, Vancouver, Canada. on June 7, 2008:
Every story of ZT is a success story, but none more successful than the reign of Vlad the Impaler.
His obedient citizens enjoyed a tranquil and peaceful existence as a result his ZT. There was no crime, sedition or unrest. No overpopulation problems, no shortages of consumables. The capital city even boasted a solid gold, gem encrusted drinking cup at the public water fountain that was never stolen during his reign.
Although it is fiction, Monty Python's "Happy Valley" depicts a kingdom populated solely with happy people. The discontents and grumblers were all put to death, along with the trade union leaders.
Both Wise King Otto and Vlad the Impaler realised the enormous financial benefits of not having to maintain due process. The judiciary system costs billions, ZT costs nothing. Every instance of ZT however trivial, saves money. Is there any better way to measure success?
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Vlad the Impaler? It's been quite awhile, but I think that was the principal's name at my high school. -rc
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