The Summit drew together parents, students, advocates, researchers, policymakers and educators to discuss the overzealous use of Zero Tolerance. AP continues to assist community groups throughout the country in challenging unfair application of Zero Tolerance. Fighting Construction of a Publicly-funded Segregated School. County Officials attempted to build a segregated elementary school to attract whites to the predominantly black county, which in 1990 was the 2 nd poorest county in the country, but now has a strong tax base due to the opening of casinos. In a county located in the heart of the Delta, where public school enrollment is almost exclusively African-American, a school district concentrates more on doling out harsh discipline than on educating children.
Children refusing corporal punishment are subject to suspension.
At least one child was subjected to more than 100 licks during a three-month period. Children are routinely suspended or sent to alternative schools for minor acts. Parental involvement is not only discouraged, it is deterred. AP is helping the community gather information about the school system and will publish a report exposing the failings of this system. In addition to publishing a report, we will hold public hearings and implement a media campaign to push for education reform.