Zero tolerance and the teenage brain | Colin O'neal | TEDxTeachersCollege

[@bideabiere6125]

Student 1: *punch Student 2 Student 2: *doesn't even fight back School: you're both guilty 1 week later Student 3: *punch Student 4 Student 4: *fight back School: you're both guilty Later Student 1: *get in a fight with Student 2 Student 2: *nearly kills him because punishement is the same

[@allisongreenlee6862]

All the more reason to get rid of the zero tolerance policy. one of my friends was punched in the face by another student and he also got suspended despite that he didn't fight back. Its almost "guilty until proven innocent."

[@monetum1392]

More like guilty even if proven innocent

[@tylermannor4290]

It's more like "Guilty, no matter what"

[@heatherbaker4538]

I love the message here about "those students", how he makes the point that there's nothing "wrong" with them, their just developing and being steered in the wrong direction. A lot of the time we think there must be something wrong with their brain, and that they need someone to keep them under their thumb more, or even pills or something, but it makes sense to actually deal with students like they're people, instead of little machines doing clerical work.

[@heatherlynchhennessey5298]

BRILLIANT. Everyone needs to hear this! I loved his point that: "Policy makers must learn that for a lot of kids ... school may be *THEIR ONLY* access point to this support." (💔) (I was one of those too.) Loved also his sincere passion. And his clear delivery of complex ideas.

[@webuyhoustonhousesasap5696]

My 9th grade daughter is now being possibly charged with assault. What she did is take back her cell phone from the teachers hand. Not once did she touch the teacher. Teacher told her "I am being abuse, I am being abused". No parent-teacher conference held. Next meeting is with the Principal, Assistant principal over the 9th grade, and a police officer. Very tense moment with a parent that has no clue of what is about to happen to their kid. After talking about the incident. Police officer asks my daughter to stand up to show him what happened. I said no you are not an investigator you are only a police officer, you are not even a certified investigator. I said you all cannot speak to us anymore. Why did you all not tell me this type of meeting would take place with an officer present. I should have been told to bring an attorney or a mediator. So now direct you will have to communicate to my attorney. I think now that what that officer what going to do was arrest her after he explaining the positions. With no due process, no parent/teacher conference. School called a few days after that that the principal over the 9th grade wants to meet with us. When they know the law you someone says speak to my attorney there is to be no more contact with me. If someone is reading this please suggest.

[@Bunny-ch2ul]

Schools react better to these sorts of situations if they feel like the child is being disciplined at home. I would suggest explaining to the school that you feel that they've unfairly escalated the situation. I would suggest that you agree with them that your daughter was out of line, for presumably having her phone out during class multiple times, and that she should no longer have access to her phone during school hours. (If that doesn't work, there are phones on the market that only call and text. They're designed for kids who find smart phones too tempting.) If you don't accept that your child's behavior is what caused the entire situation in the first place the school is probably going to continue overreacting and your daughter may end up with an assault charge. You and your daughter need to take responsibility for her actions before the school will admit they are at fault too. Frankly, teachers rarely fly off the handle like this, so I suspect that there has been a pattern of your daughter being obnoxious with her phone in school. Her reaction to take it back from the teacher, rather than waiting until class, or the school day is over wasn't appropriate. A sincere apology, and a clear plan of action for the future with parental involvement go a long, long way in these situations.

[@lanceschendorf2411]

The number of kids who are arrested and become part of the school-to-prison pipeline has grown exponentially since zero tolerance an law enforcement "resource" officers (aka POLICE) came onto the scene after Columbine. It's tragic and only adds to the socioeconomic inequity and declining graduation rates of populations experiencing poverty. Could we maybe lobby for money for more mental health counselors?

[@OneTheBlue]

@@Bunny-ch2ul (4 years later) I hope this situation was resolved in a constructive way.

[@rodeocontentmedia4327]

I was suspended after a group of 4 jumped me, but because I threw a punch and we had a zero tolerance policy I was suspended. Despite the fact the plan to jump me was days in planning and I didn't throw a single punch until I was already on the ground.

[@datboi1026]

Every school district needs to hear this man speak! He’s got revolutionary ideas that need to be put in place, and WILL benefit the ENTIRETY of the school’s population, regardless of discipline. Having down to earth consequences for students actions and being understanding towards them makes them feel comfortable, understood, and allows that trust and respect between students and faculty to grow and thrive.

[@heatherlynchhennessey5298]

1,000% TRUE!!

[@SuperSpyAgentGirl]

His mustache is awesome and so is his speech on zero-tolerance.

[@colinoneal1184]

Thanks! I still have the mustache.

[@ErutaniaRose]

I honestly would rather jump out a window on the highest floor of my house than go to my school. I get panic attacks just from going there, and I had panic attacks when behind the wheel in driver's ed. One of the teachers said, "I can't wait till you come back wanting your license, I want to be here for that." meaning that he thought my desire to drive was stronger than my desire to stop having panic attacks. As someone who has been in a car accident and has a paraplegic sibling, no way. Schools need to stop saying student's emotions are irrelevant or disruptive.

[@igotbluesdevils]

Correct, friend

[@MetallicPetals]

Peer pressure is always seen as bad but it can be used for good and schools have that power, they just never use it.

[@skylaroconnor2903]

I am totally engaged in his talk and on board with his ideas here, but the mustache is so gloriously distracting.

[@daisypotter4073]

i was looking for this comment haha

[@quasarone3083]

That guy looks like he designs death traps for Katniss Everdeen

[@simpaticonize]

QuasarOne HAHAHAHAH!!

[@bleonar3]

What about the developing brains of those being impacted by the disruptive students? Are they not worthy of our attention? Who is compiling stats on the lost opportunity for the students who want to learn while all of a teacher’s attention is directed toward positively acting on the plasticity of the disruptive students?

[@natalieeuley1734]

What this guy is talking about is one small way to change education. Education needs to be more individualized as well, but that's a separate issue

[@Ghoulia17]

This has stressed me the hell out making me worried about not learning the things I want right now because I'm already too busy

[@tylermannor4290]

Oh if only my school stopped at suspensions. If you're involved in a fight here, it's straight to juvie and you'll be facing an assault charge, which is nothing to sneeze at

[@Brainiac_420]

I happen to be a victim of this policy. Here’s a story I have. In 8th grade I had a bully who was in high school. He fought with me and even though I didn’t fight back I still got suspended. So he brought another friend of his to fight with me to get us suspended. So then they told another friend “who was next to me in my bus” to fight with me. Now the thing is that he had his earphones on but I could still hear everything because of how he hightened the volume because we were in the bus. So while I was hearing everything I knew I was going to get expelled anyways no matter what I did. So I was prepared which made me win the fight, give him a huge permanent injury on his head, broke his phone and glasses. And at the time everyone ran out of the bus and I knew I was going to get expelled anyways. So I broke the bus windows and left behind a problem they have to deal with. The problem with this rule is how easy these high schoolers took advantage of it

[@ninjapirate123]

Are you sure this story is true

[@simpaticonize]

FANTASTIC! I'm doing a standing ovation. Succinctly enlightening indeed .

[@karenhodgson7437]

Explained very well. Thank you from a parent of an adolescence who's treading water 🙃

[@simpaticonize]

Karen Hodgson : make that 2😉

[@YellowScar2014]

Basicly, Zero tolerance will result in death.... as a TEEN.

[@ninjapirate123]

I wish zero tolerance is banned and that kids at school are able to defend themselves without getting into trouble even if the bullies get beaten up they won't get in trouble either, and telling the teachers and principal shouldn't help students deal with bullying, only fighting back should when tolerance policy didn't exist

[@ninjapirate123]

Now I have to agree with this

[@TwistedWVaGrin]

great stuff educate the country

[@webuyhoustonhousesasap5696]

This education persons is so right and knows what is he is talking about.

[@ksb4646]

Though I like what this guy is saying, look at his LinkedIn page. He taught adolescents for 4 years. yes 4. He was a TFA affiliate. I have seen this scenario so many times. Young folks with degrees from prestigious universities teach for a handful of years and then LEAVE the classroom. Why? They move on to, frankly, much easier and higher paying gigs as motivational speakers, or somewhat less trying jobs and higher paying jobs as administrators,- which is what he appears to be doing now. They will typically say - I wanted to do something where I'd have more impact. bs. They leave because the classroom is so emotionally draining, can be so frustrating and you have so little power - they want more of it (power) and less frustration, in my opinion. I am a 25 year veteran of middle and high school teaching. I am exhausted but love knowledge, love science - yes I am a science teacher too, and enjoy the dynamic atmosphere. I have a degree from one of those fancy universities too. I stayed in the classroom and it has been TOUGH. I'd like to move on because I am so fatigued, but for financial reasons cannot. I am a little cynical about these types of educators - I'd be more impressed if he were giving this talk and was STILL dealing with the grueling atmosphere of the middle and high school classroom. I'd love to hear a motivational talk by a 20 year veteran who has stayed in the urban classroom (I work with low income students) and is still fresh and can give insight into how they have managed. This guy was in his mid thirties when he gave this talk, not particularly seasoned.

[@martynrichards9377]

Well said sir!

[@goosebeater9383]

You can tell he's nervous because of the sweat on him

[@iamsheel]

He is so smart and attractive... I can't handle it

[@cari78910]

Wonderful video

[@apollyon1987]

If it’s zero tolerance and you get in trouble for even pushing someone back then you might as well go all out and start punching

[@ninjapirate123]

I think this only happens in USA schools

[@Macheako]

Wow, this guy discovered peer pressure. What innovation!

[@iamkenntron]

Peer based positive support systems

[@kalaniprice1007]

Thank you, Colin O’Neal.

[@EveLovesGod]

i love this

[@brandonsim7717]

until someone want to fix it

[@marssinclair2644]

why on earth does this only have 35k views? bet half watching are teenagers

[@shibahe]

Do you think I should let my 13 yrs old hirl hear this? How about sending this to the principal or teachers who suspended my daughter for tardiness or chewing gum?

[@spghet2082]

this dude is my dad

[@tallybone]

How are there only like 600 likes but over 30k veiws

[@-0__________________________0-]

if your gonna do the time might as well do the crime.

[@populardubs8471]

Not related but this guy has 28 donner kids lol

[@JustMe-fz7xn]

Funny, when we spanked kids we didn't have these problems. More proof the proverb is true, he that spareth the rod hateth his child.

[@rider2731]

Excellent lecture but disgusting facial hair.

[@rebia5542]

Agus Widjaja nuuuu

[@_carapell_7084]

More like villainous facial hair. Looks like a villain from a kids movie for God's sake