People for the Ethical Treatment of Our Children is a group of Delaware citizens concerned with the way that our schools currently handle discipline. Under their controversial zero tolerance policies, intent is not a consideration in determining guilt or innocence nor when doling out punishment. This can result in children who otherwise have no disciplinary record or behavioral problems being expelled from school and placed in an alternative program. To make matters worse for these children and their families is the very real possibility of criminal charges, including felony charges, being filed against the child.

Without the consideration of intent, or circumstance and character, no distinction is made between the 2nd grader who forgets his 2-1/2” Boy Scout knife is in his jacket after a weekend camping trip and the high school senior who brings a 6” dagger to school to attack another student.

While we aren’t suggesting that there be no consequences for breaking rules or the Code of Conduct, PETOC wants to see that each offense is viewed on a case by case basis, that the outcome not be predetermined and that a little common sense be applied. Children in Delaware and across the country are being kicked out of school for such minor offenses as drawing laser guns, possessing Midol, or defending themselves from physical attacks from other students.

On the other hand there is a real problem with disruptive, disrespectful children who are left in the classrooms without any consequences. Talk to most teachers and they will tell you that they spend more time on disciplining their students than they do teaching them. An added frustration is the pressure to increase testing scores rather than focus on individual needs and again, teaching. Fiscal responsibility is questionable as well. More and more students are leaving public schools for either private schools or home schooling. Is it any wonder?

We need to let our elected officials and school administrators know that we’ve had enough.


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