Special Education Law Blog

When Zero Tolerance Goes Too Far

 In our post-Columbine world and in an understandable effort to ensure that schools are safe, schools enacted “zero tolerance policies” resulting in expulsions or suspensions for infractions involving weapons, drugs, or other violent acts.  These policies were designed to ensure that schools respond harshly and consistently to serious student misconduct.  With time, however, the list of violations for which zero tolerance applies has been broadened to cover acts involving defiance, noncompliance, or disrespect.  These policies, when rigidly adhered to (and they often are), deny administrators the opportunity to consider any extenuating circumstances related to the incident, or in many cases, the application of plain common sense when meting out discipline.  One report has dubbed zero-tolerance policies as “zero-thinking policies.”  

Coat Drive Helps Students in Need

I spend a lot of time advocating for students which can sometimes mean fighting with school personnel. When I come across a story like this expressed on youtube, I had to share it.  A coat drive at Chicago school provided warm coats for students for students in need. It is very heart warming to see students have this basic need met. Now if all students could receive proper nutrition, books, and all of the other essentials we would be in a better place.. but for now I am happy to see these kids get coats.

 

The Scary Reality of State and Privately Run Homes for Individuals with Disabilities

According to a recent investigation by The New York Times, 1,200 developmentally disabled adults died of unnatural or unknown causes while living in state and privately run homes in New York over the past 10 years.  James Taylor, a 41-year-old quadriplegic, was one of these deaths.  Although he had no more ability to lift his head than a newborn, Mr. Taylor was left unattended in a tub with running water for 20 minutes where he drowned.  No one told his family that a similar drowning had occurred only four months previously in the state.  His sister, Patricia Taylor, is quoted as saying, “I believe that God put these people here for a purpose, because if we didn’t have them to look after, we would lose our humanity.  How would we know compassion?  It says in the Bible, do ye so unto the least of my brothers.  I think that’s what it’s all about.”