<p>Zero tolerance is not a good policy in the majority of cases, because things are rarely ever that cut-and-dry. I was suspended a few times in high school for fighting. I have never started a fight in my life, and I doubt I will. But zero tolerance means that a student has to do their best to block or run away when another person starts throwing haymakers at his head. If you do anything more than that, policy gives you the same punishment and same statement in your record as the instigator. Also, another foolish part of the policy is that it distinguishes between striking with an open palm and a closed fist- you can hurt someone pretty bad with either.</p>
<p>I will never let someone attack me. If you take a swing at me, I will defend myself with extreme prejudice. I was fortunate enough to be on good terms with a few administrators, but zero tolerance and mandatory sentences don’t take into account the fact that every situation is different.</p>