Zero tolerance refers to the concepts (policies) that govern the mode of punishment administered to the students for breaking a recognized law or rule within certain school premises. Nowadays schools enact and implement zero tolerance policies to minimize and prevent illegal behaviors (Nelson, Palonsky, & McCarthy, 2010). This paper seeks to evaluate the nature of and rationale for the zero tolerance policy of crime and victimization (1006.13) in the state of Florida. It will achieve this by describing the development and implementation of the concept in both public and private schools within the state.
According to the Florida Department of Education (2013), the state of Florida enacted and implemented the crimes and victimization policy
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Therefore, the legislature requires every school to adopt a crime and victimization policy that conforms to specified criteria. Firstly, schools are expected to adopt a zero tolerance policy that defines the procedure followed by a given school (within the state) in reporting the misconduct or behavior of a particular student to the relevant law enforcement departments when the accused is within the district school board’s jurisdiction. Secondly, the policy clearly defines the mischievous acts deemed as dangerous to the schools’ safety. Thirdly, the policy defines the punishable petty acts of misconduct within the given school premises. Fourthly, the policy requires the schools to curb the acts of victimization committed against vulnerable students, staff members, visitors, and volunteers among other persons within the school premises. The precautionary measure of the victimization policy requires schools to take the necessary steps of protecting the affected person from further acts of victimization (Nelson, Palonsky, & McCarthy, 2010). Finally, the policy provides the 1006.07 protocol, which the accused student can follow to review the punishment imposed on their crimes by the schools’ disciplinary …show more content…
It achieved this by describing the development, implementation, and significance of the policy in both public and private schools within the state. It also described the criminal actions, punishment methods, and the relevant agencies involved as stipulated by the