Middle school students in Virginia face suspensions due to illegally possessing oregano.
The Grass family, residents of Chesapeake, Virginia, have sought legal counsel from the Rutherford Institute, an organization dedicated to defending civil liberties, following their seventh-grader Adam Grass's suspension from Hickory Middle School. The school suspended Adam for possessing oregano, initially mistaken for marijuana, a case that the Rutherford Institute argues exemplifies an overzealous application of zero-tolerance policies in schools.
Adam was holding the oregano for a friend and had it for a brief period. His father, Patrick Grass, is frustrated with the situation and believes there needs to be common sense applied to school policies. The Grass family's fight against what they perceive as an unjust punishment may resonate with many who believe that educational institutions should prioritize learning and growth over punitive measures.
The ongoing debate about school discipline and drug policies highlights the need for a more nuanced approach to student behavior. Critics of zero-tolerance policies argue that they often lack nuance and fail to consider the context of students' actions. This argument is further supported by incidents such as a New Jersey student facing expulsion after being found with a toy gun on school property, and a high school student in Florida suspended for bringing nail polish remover to school, classified as a potential weapon due to its flammable nature.
In Texas, several middle school students were disciplined after being caught with candy that resembled illegal drugs. These examples underscore the need for a reevaluation of school discipline and drug policies.
Zero-tolerance policies are disciplinary frameworks that mandate fixed, severe consequences—such as suspension or expulsion—for certain offenses, particularly serious or violent acts, without regard for individual circumstances. Marion County Public Schools, for instance, enforce zero tolerance for serious threats or acts of violence that endanger students and staff, such as extortion or unauthorized leaving of school grounds. Some districts implement zero tolerance particularly for weapons and drug offenses, requiring suspension or expulsion as mandated by law.
However, the consequences of zero-tolerance policies can be detrimental. Immediate and often harsh disciplinary actions like out-of-school suspension or expulsion, regardless of context, can lead to exclusion from school activities and damage to educational outcomes. Sometimes, these policies disproportionately affect marginalized students, contributing to the “school-to-prison pipeline.”
In response to these concerns, some districts are adopting reform measures. District U-46, for example, avoids using zero-tolerance policies for elementary students unless required by law, and emphasizes a more nuanced approach with progressive discipline and multi-tiered supports. There is an emphasis on balancing safety with supportive interventions and collaboration with families and community organizations to improve school climate and discipline strategies.
Alternatives to zero tolerance include positive behavior interventions, restorative justice, and tailored responses considering age, maturity, and individual circumstances. Broader efforts in states like Ohio emphasize training, policy awareness, and creating safe climates to prevent bullying and violence without overly relying on zero-tolerance exclusionary discipline.
As communities grapple with issues of safety and appropriate responses to student behavior, it is crucial to balance enforcement with common sense and understanding. The situation at Hickory Middle School serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding school discipline and drug policies, and more cases are emerging where children face severe repercussions for minor infractions, leading to calls for reforming these policies.
- The Grass family's encounter with school authorities due to a misidentification of oregano as marijuana highlights the need for education-and-self-development institutions to prioritize learning and growth over punitive measures, as excessive penalties can negatively impact students' educational journeys.
- General-news stories featuring students facing severe consequences for minor offenses, like the New Jersey student with a toy gun or the Texas students with candy resembling illegal drugs, underscore the importance of considering context and individual circumstances in crime-and-justice matters, rather than adhering to strict zero-tolerance policies.
