School Shootings, Zero Tolerance, and Disproportionality: How Urban Minorities Are Punished for White Suburban Violence

• In Event: 60.075 - The Determination to Succeed

Abstract

This article situates zero tolerance policies within the landscape of urban education post Brown v. Board of Education. School discipline has emerged as a critical arena in the quest for racial equity in education as a growing body of literature demonstrates that urban students of color are disproportionately subjected to punitive discipline as a result of zero tolerance policies. This study examines the demographic characteristics of school shootings from 1990-2011. Analysis reveals that through the mechanism of zero tolerance, a nation of urban minority students have been and continue to be punished for the actions of predominantly White, suburban/rural gunmen. The authors present alternative policies and practices, make recommendations for stakeholders, and explore the larger implications of zero tolerance mandates.

Authors

• Nicholas Triplett, University of North Carolina - Charlotte

• Ayana Allen, Drexel University

• Chance W. Lewis, University of North Carolina - Charlotte