Professional Ethics Within the Context of Student Discipline and Diversity

Students who differ from the mainstream, both physically and culturally often find themselves at odds with the culture of schools. Under these conditions, issues of misperceptions and proportionality become paramount. With the heightened anxiety over school safety and the advent of "zero tolerance" regulations, the possibility of unethical and unfair practices for students from poor and minority groups increase considerably. These more regimented and severe policies mean that schools have an even greater obligation to make certain that rules are administered so that they do not further subjugate the most vulnerable segment of our population. A review of the existing and most recent findings on this topic indicates that the schooling of minority students is being further jeopardized by this current mania. A means for a more constructive focus is discussed.