Oklahoma HB2351 Common Sense Zero-Tolerance Act
The Oklahoma legislature has created another common sense bill about zero tolerance. The bill titled, “Common Sense Zero-Tolerance Act,” eases school rules when it comes to fake weapons. House Bill 2351 (HB2351) was first read February 3, 2014.
House Bill 2351 states schools shall not “punish, humiliate, intimidate, be condescending to, or bully a student” who has possession of a toy weapon.”
The bill also states:
“No school district, school administrator, teacher or other school employee shall punish, humiliate, intimidate, be condescending to, or bully a student, including suspension of the student…”
The bill also prevents schools from punishing its students who simply use their finger or hand to simulate a weapon, making sounds of an imaginary firearm, or drawing pictures of firearms. The bill was proposed by Republican .
“Real intent, real threats and real weapons should always be dealt with immediately. We need to stop criminalizing children’s imagination and childhood play,” explained , Republican from .
While the bill appears to be common sense, and an attempt to remove liberal teachers and educators from their over sensitivity with zero-tolerance, the Oklahoma Education Association isn’t on board with the proposed law.
“I fully trust Oklahoma educators to handle student discipline in an appropriate case-by-case manner. The proposed legislation removes local control from teachers, counselors, administrators and local school boards. Educators are degreed professionals, trained and experienced in dealing with children,” explained O.E.A President Linda Hampton.
Power struggle between legislation and Board of Education?
does not provide federal government the authority over public schools. That right was given to each state.
Oklahoma Constitution Article 8, Section 5 states in part, “The supervision of instruction in the public schools shall be vested in a Board of Education, whose powers and duties shall be prescribed by law.”
Oklahoma Constitution Article 8, Section 5 states in part, “The supervision of instruction in the public schools shall be vested in a Board of Education, whose powers and duties shall be prescribed by law.”
Oklahoma legislation does have the authority to create laws in regards to the public school system. The O.E.A. President appears to believe the law lessens the teacher’s authority over the students.
Zero-Tolerance Examples
However, when we review other states adopting Zero-tolerance within their schools, common-sense has also gone away.
An 11 year old in faced an all-day in-school suspension for mimicking a firearm with his hand.
A 6 year old in suburban . was suspended by making his hand into the shape of a gun.
A 6 year old in suburban . was suspended by making his hand into the shape of a gun.
The list goes on and on.
Sally Kern is acting Representative for
84. She was elected to office in 2005 and her term limit is up in 2016. Her past included the profession of teacher, and she held a position in the Education Standing Committee of .
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