The Associated Press is reporting that the suspension of a six-year-old from his Newark, Del., school has been rescinded. The boy had been punished for using a camping utensil at lunch. The incident prompted questions regarding the district’s strict no-tolerance policies regarding weapons.
On Oct. 13, the school board revised its code of conduct for kindergartners and first graders.
Zachary Christie wanted to use his Cub Scout tool, which serves as a spoon, fork and knife, during his lunch at school. However, the tool’s knife violated Christina School District’s zero-tolerance weapons policy. The first grader must now attend the district’s reform school for 45 days, according to the New York Times.
In a statement issued by the district, the boy’s age was not a consideration when officials determined the transgression to be a level three offense. George Evans, the president of the Christina district’s school board has defended the decision. However, he said the school board might adjust the rules when it comes to younger children, reports the Times. Because of current district policy, Christie was punished regardless of intent because of the strict knife ban.
Christie’s mother’s fiancé and the boy’s karate instructor plead his case against the school’s disciplinary committee arguing no ill intent by the child. The boy’s mother is home-schooling him while the family tries to overturn his punishment.
The zero-tolerance policies were initially designed to allow authorities more leeway in punishing students, reports the Times. However, according to Ronnie Casella, an associate professor of education at Central Connecticut State University, many school districts have removed discretion in applying the disciplinary policies to avoid criticism of being biased. (Story continues below.)
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