Inquirer Editorial: School rules do have limits

The Philadelphia Inquirer:

Teen drinking is a complicated issue. Just how complicated can be seen by taking a look at the Haddonfield schools.

The school board six years ago established a so-called "24-7 policy," which was supposed to control even students' off-campus behavior. Students charged with alcohol offenses were barred from extracurricular activities, including athletic teams, choir, and drama productions.

It seemed to be a good and reasonable measure to many Haddonfield residents, especially a year after the policy was implemented, when a reportedly intoxicated 17-year-old football player leaped to his death from the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.

Indeed, a central component of public education should be the protection of children. In that regard, children's education should include showing them that bad personal decisions have consequences. Supporters of the 24-7 policy stressed that point. The policy, though, appears doomed.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at August 27, 2012 1:01 AM
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