Is it just barely possible . . .

 

State senators in Texas are worried that the state has gone too far in its zero-tolerance policy for bad behavior in schools. While I agree that may be the case -- we've all heard the stories of kids who have been suspended for technically breaking the rule without any intent whatsoever to misbehave or disobey -- the senators are looking at it from a different angle than I am.

 

They note that more minority students than non-minority students are disciplined under zero-tolerance. This is inherently unfair, they say. They cite studies that show that 83% of black male students and 70% of black female students statewide have faced at least one disciplinary action. One of the cases they refer to is that of a 14-year-old girl. She was cited for truancy and fined $500. She couldn't help it, they claim. She was pregnant and too embarrassed to go to school. In today's society, I find it remarkable (though admirable) that a 14-year-old is embarrassed by pregnancy. However, the fact remains that she did not go to school. If zero-tolerance applies to white girls who don't go to school, then certainly it should also apply to black girls who don't go to school regardless of the excuse they give.

 

At any rate, is it just barely possible that minorities are written up more often because they flaunt the rules more often?

 

"Panel questions zero tolerance." The Dallas Morning News; October 31, 2012; p. 3A.