Poll: Zero Tolerance Fails

[Apostrophe s]

So 2 weeks ago my entire school had exams. I was put in the class with all the kids who's last names started with S. The room was too small for 24 kids so the kids after me were sent to another classroom. Around 12:00 I heard some one's phone say "Please say a command" in the other classroom, but no teacher reacted and the students continued the all day exam.
The next day I learned that all the students on the class roster exams were invalidated. Due to the zero tolerance policy instated my friends now have to take either another exam or not get credit AND take the test again during the summer.
What's worse is that because the guy who's cell phone caused this mess wasn't listed, he gets off without even a warning.

Also I have to write about this issue, a lunch scandal, and plans for a fundraiser for the school paper while remaining neutral, despite my personal involvement in 2 of the 3 issues.

Any other tales of zero tolerance failing/working?

 

[GenericAmerican]

Zero tolerance really never works. Because it usually fucks everyone else over like in your example.

 

[Aur0ra145]

Read "Broken Windows" by James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling. This is the theory which leads to zero-tolerance policing.

Simply put, don't let little things slide (like J-walking) and the larger crimes won't happen as often or at all (like burglaries.) It uses a good bit of research that shows, where places that look like crime will be committed there (broken windows in homes) then there is a higher likelihood they will happen. This snowballs from very minor crimes and eventually will lead the larger felony crime.

And yes, it does work when implemented correctly. Though, there are situations where it is misapplied and does cause harm. Schools are a tricky place for zero-tolerance implementation. Generally schools don't like to take things on a case by case basis, because that would require thought process by teachers and administrators, and that just doesn't sit well with them. Now, that is a bit harsh on school officials, but it really is true to a large extent. Any type of bureaucracy (which a school system is) has trouble thinking outside the box and trying different ways to address issues.