The need for equality in education: An intersectionality examination of labeling and zero tolerance practices
Keywords:
behavioural problems, zero tolerance, Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, policy issues, equality in education, freedom of expressionAbstract
The authors observe that students in school who exhibit challenging behaviours are given labels such as “severe behaviour,᾿ “troubled,᾿ or “violent᾿ and that these negative labels have repercussions on students. School administrators also employ zero tolerance policies without addressing the root causes of negative behaviour. Using students’ self-reports the authors note the negative effects of labeling and zero tolerance practices on children and schools, and discuss the implications for society as a whole. They conclude with recommendations for changes in policies and practices that more carefully consider the systemic sources of the behaviour, and that align more closely with fundamental educational goals and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. LE BESOIN D’ÉGALITÉ EN ÉDUCATION : UN EXAMEN INTERSECTIONEL DES PRATIQUES D’ÉTIQUETAGES ET DE ZÉRO TOLÉRANCE RÉSUMÉ. Pour contrôler les étudiants qui montrent des comportements violents à l’école, les éducateurs les catégorisent et les étiquettes par des termes de comportements sévères et utilisent des politiques de tolérance zéro. En utilisant des autoportraits d’étudiants, des jurisprudences, des résultats d’études à grandes échelles, et en prenant en considération une école exemplaire, nous notons les aspects négatifs de la politique de zéro tolérance, de l’étiquetage des élèves et nous discutons les implications de la société dans son ensemble. Nous concluons avec des recommandations, pour des changements dans les politiques et les pratiques, qui considèrent plus prudemment les sources systématiques du comportement, et qui se rapprochent plus étroitement des buts fondamentaux de l’éducation et la Charte canadienne des droits et libertés.Downloads
How to Cite
Cassidy, W., & Jackson, M. (2007). The need for equality in education: An intersectionality examination of labeling and zero tolerance practices. McGill Journal of Education / Revue Des Sciences De l’éducation De McGill, 40(3). Retrieved from https://mje.mcgill.ca/article/view/585
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