No doubtfully the history of Zero Tolerance Policies is directly linked to the Columbine high school massacre of 1999. This sad story has never been more feared in the back of school's administrations minds and effort to stop something like that from ever happening again is always present. But where it all stemmed from is the federal Gun Free Schools Act of 1994, which said if a gun was found on a student in school that that student must be expelled or lose federal funding. As schools were adjusting the Columbine massacre occurred and things kicked into high gear.
Schools took this and ran with it making their own Zero Tolerance Policies which can either be a huge advancement or a step backwards in peoples minds. While some schools have been using Zero Tolerance Policies for some time the "label" on the phrase has really come to the attention of the media and the minds of students and parents alike. State, local, and the national government have all been pushing for harsher punishments to deter students from ever taking up a weapon against their classmates.
Your example demonstrates exactly a school administration, teacher, parent fear .. the cost of doing not quite enough.
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