Diversity Issues
Bill to reduce zero-tolerance policies in schools has bipartisan support
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BY CAITLIN DeLUCA
Capital News Service
LANSING — A bill aimed at reducing the number of suspensions and expulsions of students in Michigan schools could move to the Senate floor soon. In Michigan, a zero-tolerance policy covers a plethora of situations in schools, including physical violence, possession of any weapon, tobacco, alcohol and bomb or similar threats. That means that a student who commits any of those behaviors must be suspended or expelled for at least a year. The mandatory punishment leaves the schools’ hands tied. The bill would remove mandatory suspensions or expulsions for some of these misbehaviors.