Zero Tolerance Policies Unfairly Target Youth With Support Needs

National Mental Health Association
Wednesday, 18 June 2003

NMHA Says Policies Deepen Service Gaps and Impede Education

The National Mental Health Association today released a policy statement opposing the blanket application of zero tolerance policies in schools. The position statement condemns the use of such policies and offers viable alternatives.

The U.S. Congress and many state governments have passed zero tolerance polices that permit -- and even encourage -- school districts to employ harsh and inconsistent disciplinary policies to curtail the incidents of weapons in schools. Many school districts have gone further and expanded the policies to include many non-violent acts. The broad nature and severity of current policies not only results in the labeling of children as delinquents or criminals but also in lost education opportunities, which can have considerable long-term ramifications.

"All children deserve to be treated in way that is fair, equitable and appropriate for the offense committed," says Michael Faenza, NMHA President and CEO. "Zero tolerance policies are counter productive and simply ‘zero' in on students with special needs."

Student misbehavior often results from unmet mental health or educational needs, and it is these children who usually bear the brunt of zero tolerance policies despite the protections afforded them by the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) of 1997. Unfortunately, the 2003 IDEA reauthorization bill threatens these protections, and the disproportioned effect of zero tolerance policies on students with special education and mental health needs will worsen.

Moreover, NMHA's primary concerns result from the broad definition of offenses and inconsistent definition and application of consequences, especially as they relate to students from diverse racial, ethnic and economic backgrounds as well as students with mental health and special education needs.

In lieu of zero tolerance policies, NMHA strongly supports disciplinary actions and policies that promote the health and well being of students. NMHA supports policies that provide children who misbehave with the necessary resources to support behavior change in a positive manner, except in the most severe cases.

For more information or a copy of NMHA's position statement on the broad application of zero tolerance policies, contact NMHA's Advocacy Resource Center at 800-969-6642 or visit www.nmha.org.

The National Mental Health Association is the country's oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness. With more than 340 affiliates nationwide, NMHA works to improve the mental health of all Americans through advocacy, education, research and service.

For more information, or to contact National Mental Health Association, see their website at: www.nmha.org