It has happened not a day soon. Parents and elected officials across the USA are demanding that schools slacken zero-tolerance policies. School authorities vehemently argue that they are meant to reduce violence. But strict adherence has led to some students being forced out of school for bringing items such as eyebrow trimmers and a Cub Scout’s camping tool to campus.

That is ridiculous.

You heard of the case involving Zachary Christie, a 6-year-old at Downes Elementary in Newark. The kid was suspended for five days on Sept. 29 after teachers found him carrying a camping utensil that was part knife, fork and spoon. School officials considered it a dangerous instrument. He couldn’t return to Downes until he completed at least 45 days at an alternative school.

Absolutely senseless.

“I think it’s crazy that they don’t use common sense,” says Debbie Christie, Zachary’s mother and the school’s PTA co-president. The school received hundreds of calls protesting its decision.

“It’s almost like taking a jaywalker and throwing him into a maximum-security prison,” says Fred Hink of Katy, Texas, who founded Texas Zero Tolerance, a parents group that urges school administrators to use common sense in disciplinary cases.

School Administrators, however, maintain strict and consistent policies are needed to create a safe environment for students, especially in big cities.

In this case the policy went too far. In can happen in others too.

David Resler, VP, Christina Board of Education defended the suspension. He said the tool had a blade that qualified as a dangerous weapon. Maybe.

But school officials need to consider intent, self-defense, past disciplinary history and whether the child has special needs before acting on cases where a student can be expelled or suspended. When you arrest or expel a kid for petty misconduct it is sure to boomerang. You brand a kid as a criminal and leave no room for his understanding and growth.

Apart from the fact that kids have rights to investigation and assessment there is the common sense element.

A kid spends a lot of his time in school. Shouldn’t teachers and counsellors take responsibility for his behavior? If his behavior doesn’t meet norms – whatever they are – is it only the parents’ fault?

CONTINUED…