The History of "Zero Tolerance" in American Public Schooling (Palgrave Studies in Urban Education)

Through a case study of the Los Angeles city school district from the 1950s through the 1970s, Judith Kafka explores the intersection of race, politics, and the bureaucratic organization of schooling. Kafka argues that control over discipline became increasingly centralized in the second half of the twentieth century in response to pressures exerted by teachers, parents, students, principals, and local politicians – often at different historical moments, and for different purposes. Kafka demonstrates that the racial inequities produced by today’s school discipline policies were not inevitable, nor are they immutable. Through a case study of the Los Angeles city school district from the 1950s through the 1970s, Judith Kafka explores the intersection of race, politics, and the bureaucratic organization of schooling.≤Kafka argues that control over discipline became increasingly centralized in the second half of the twentieth century in response to pressures exerted by teachers, parents, students, principals, and local politicians - often at different historical moments, and for different purposes. Kafka demonstrates that the racial inequities produced by today's school discipline policies were not inevitable, nor are they immutable. "This book looks back at the historical roots of "zero tolerance" school discipline policies. Through a case study of the Los Angeles city school district from the 1950s through the 1970s, Judith Kafka explores the intersection of race, politics, and the bureaucratic organization of schooling. Kafka argues that control over discipline became increasingly centralized in the second half of the 20th century in response to pressures exerted by teachers, parents, students, principals, and local politicians - often at different historical moments, and for different purposes. Kafka demonstrates that the racial inequities produced by today's school discipline policies were not inevitable, nor are they immutable" This Book Looks Back At The Historical Roots Of Zero Tolerance School Discipline Policies. Through A Case Study Of The Los Angeles City School District From The 1950s Through The 1970s, Judith Kafka Explores The Intersection Of Race, Politics, And The Bureaucratic Organization Of Schooling. Kafka Argues That Control Over Discipline Became Increasingly Centralized In The Second Half Of The 20th Century In Response To Pressures Exerted By Teachers, Parents, Students, Principals, And Local Politicians - Often At Different Historical Moments, And For Different Purposes. Kafka Demonstrates That The Racial Inequities Produced By Today's School Discipline Policies Were Not Inevitable, Nor Are They Immutable-- Zero Tolerance And The Case Of Los Angeles -- Discipline Before Zero Tolerance, 1800-1950 -- Bureaucratizing Discipline In The Blackboard Jungle -- Struggle For Control In The 1960s -- The Death Of In Loco Parentis -- Reclaiming School Discipline. Judith Kafka. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [163]-174) And Index. "This book looks back at the historical roots of "zero tolerance" school discipline policies. Through a case study of the Los Angeles city school district from the 1950s through the 1970s, Judith Kafka explores the intersection of race, politics, and the bureaucratic organization of schooling. Kafka argues that control over discipline became increasingly centralized in the second half of the 20th century in response to pressures exerted by teachers, parents, students, principals, and local politicians - often at different historical moments, and for different purposes. Kafka demonstrates that the racial inequities produced by today's school discipline policies were not inevitable, nor are they immutable"-- Provided by publisher Cover 1 Half-title 2 Title 4 Copyright 5 Contents 6 Series Editors’ Foreword 8 Acknowledgments 12 One Zero Tolerance and the Case of Los Angeles 16 Two Discipline Before Zero Tolerance, 1800–1950 32 Three Bureaucratizing Discipline in the Blackboard Jungle 68 Four Struggle for Control in the 1960s 90 Five The Death of in Loco Parentis 112 Conclusion: Reclaiming School Discipline 134 Notes 142 Selected Bibliography 178 Index 190