LANSING, MI (AP)-- The state Board of Education could ask schools to rethink their zero-tolerance policies. The request is aimed at stemming 400 expulsions in Michigan schools during the 2010-11 school year.
The Detroit Free Press says if approved by the eight-member board, schools would be urged to “adopt discipline policies without mandated suspension or expulsion for issues that do not involve weapons.”
Supporters say too many students are being booted from school for nonviolent offenses, such as disobedience or being insubordinate. They say those students fall behind and sometimes drop out.
The board cannot mandate school districts change their policies. By law, students who bring guns to school, get into physical altercations, or sexually assault other students or staff, must be suspended or expelled.
