NASBE To Urge Against Expelling Disruptive Students

By Millicent Lawton

Rejecting the popular "zero tolerance" position on student weapons possession and school violence, a study group of the National Association of State Boards of Education is set to recommend this week that schools make every effort to avoid expelling disruptive students.

The report, to be released in San Antonio at the association's annual conference, argues that "expulsion without alternatives is not a solution to youth violence."

Disruptive or delinquent students should, "to the maximum extent possible," be kept in their regular schools, the study group writes. At the very least, it says, alternative programs "with strong academic and counseling components" should be provided for students...