Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA)
"These policies are a reaction to Columbine. And, while we must seek out ways to stem the violence in our public schools, we cannot afford to have policies that are ill defined, inconsistently applied and unreasonably punitive. Students should be punished for violation of school rules and violent activities, however, the punishment must fit the crime. Decatur is a prime example of ill defined policies that are arbitrarily applied. The initial reaction of the school district to an outbreak of violence following a football game at MacArthur High School appears to be much to harsh and will only serve to put students out of school and on the street for far too long. These students, if forced to stay out for 1 or 2 years, will possibly never return. This leaves them on the street unsupervised and more likely to get into trouble.
"There is a growing body of evidence that shows that minority students are expelled more often and for long periods of time, some even permanently expelled. These kinds of policies are diametrically opposed to our stated goals of providing a solid education for all of our students. We must learn to keep our students in school rather than expel them with ill defined policies such as zero tolerance. I support mediation of the present situation at Decatur and I am hopeful that there can be an end to the standoff."
(Link: http://www.house.gov/waters/pr111999a.htm)
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Chuck Hagel (R-Nebraska)
(Link: http://www.senate.gov/%7Ehagel/releases/052099juvenilejustice.html)
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