The law called for a national crackdown on kids with guns but it quickly became a much broader effort in schools to deal with discipline problems, vandalism, assaults, drugs, sexual harassment, even cheating. School boards call it zero tolerance.
Critics call it a deeply flawed policy.
In the wake of the Columbine High School shooting, school administrators are enforcing zero tolerance policies that often result in school suspensions or expulsions for minor infractions of the rules. An attorney and author who has written, debated and practiced widely in the area of constitutional law and human rights, Whitehead is the author of numerous books including his autobiography entitled Slaying Dragons and Truth Under Fire, a challenge to Christians to become involved with popular culture. Most recently, he gained notoriety as co-counsel for Paula Jones in her sexual harassment lawsuit against President Clinton. John Mitchell is a deputy director of the Educational Issues Department of the American Federation of Teachers. In this position, he develops the union's materials and programs on school discipline and classroom management.