In this article, the author discusses the effects of zero-tolerance policies in schools and depicts how the policies no longer make schools safe, even though many educators see them as the backbone of school discipline. A 2000 study by the American Educational Research Association (AERA) confirms that stringent zero-tolerance policies, though appear sensible and logical, end up punishing many children who are frightened, sometimes thoughtless, but rarely dangerous. AERA found suspensions and expulsions--the far limits of zero-tolerance discipline--disproportionately applied to racial-minority and low-income students. Zero tolerance has become the rule in over 80% of the nation's schools. But school district policies are often implemented haphazardly and fail in the major goals of improving students' behavior and ensuring their safety.