House panel backs study of Pa. schools’ zero-tolerance policies

    Pennsylvania state lawmakers are supporting a proposal to study how the state’s 500 school districts use zero-tolerance policies and to recommend alternatives.

    The House Education Committee voted unanimously Monday to direct the Joint State Government Commission to report back about the range of policies currently in effect, including agreements to notify local police under certain circumstances.

    Part of its focus will be on how the policies affect very young or disabled students.

    The sponsor, Montgomery County state Rep. Warren Kampf, said he came up with the proposal after hearing from a constituent about some of the ways zero-tolerance policies are currently implemented.

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    The full House will have to vote in favor of it in order for the six-month study to get underway.

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