Zero tolerance policy study in the state of Georgia

This study examined the possible effect of zero tolerance policies introduced by three different legislative actions over a 25-year period. Chapter 1 outlined the need for considering zero tolerance policies and the potential impact they may have had on public school students. Chapter 2 outlines the history of legislative action and zero tolerance policies that resulted from them. Chapter 2 also discusses federal legislative action from 1990 to the present regarding zero tolerance policies. Chapter 2 also examines the theory of unintended consequences as it relates to this study (the concept that social action has consequences that may not have been anticipated). Chapter 3 lists the twelve research questions that define this study, as well as information on the design of the study. Chapter 4 shares the results of the study. The researcher collected suspension and expulsion data from the State of Georgia Department of Education for academic years 1989-2013. Data were examined using a concomitant time series design utilizing graphs created with SPSS software.;The results explored the trends in the rate of suspensions and expulsions for all public schools in the state of Georgia. The results of this study indicate that suspension and expulsion rates showed an increase. Results presented in Chapter 4 also explored the trends in the rate of suspensions and expulsions of Black, White, economically disadvantaged, and non-economically disadvantaged students. All populations included in this study showed an increase in the rate of both suspensions and expulsions. The results of the study indicate that the trends in suspensions and expulsions increased over the 25-year period during this study. Three federal legislative policies introduced in 1991, 1995, and 2002 pertained to zero tolerance. When suspension and expulsion rates increase, the number of students denied educational services also increases, indicating a possible need to explore alternatives to suspension and expulsion. Further research may include expanding the study to include other states that have implemented alternatives to zero tolerance policies. Researchers should also examine alternatives to zero tolerance policies, exploring administrator and student perceptions of alternative disciplinary measures.