Case 14

Case Analysis Framework for Case 14: Tolerance Test for Rancho

Kayla Busse

Grand Canyon University: EAD-505

April 20, 2016

Case Analysis Framework for Case 14: Tolerance Test for Rancho

Main Decisions

The problem in this case study is that Ms. Idleman, a fifth grade teacher at Rancho Elementary School, did not inform the school administration of a student, Becky Skutter, who brought in a pistol to school. Although the pistol was brought in as part of a student’s project, it was a direct violation of the new zero-tolerance policy enacted by the Carterville Unified School District. The district superintendant and school board’s policy includes zero-tolerance for truancies from school, for weapons of any kind, for physical assaults, and for sexual harassment. Ms. Idleman was appointed to oversee a committee that would develop the new policy manual for her school site, which would include the district’s newly adapted zero-tolerance policies. There are a few decisions that need to be made in this case. Should there be a consequence given to Becky for bringing in the pistol to school? What consequences, if any, should Ms. Idleman be given for allowing the student to take the gun back and for not informing the administration of the breach of district policy? How should the school go about informing other parents of the incident? What programs does the school need to implement to ensure that all staff, students, and parents are familiar the new zero-tolerance policies of the district and the consequences of not abiding to these rules?

Additional Information

Before one can make an informed decision, it must be known if indeed the new school policy developed by Ms. Idleman’s committee did in fact include a section that highlighted the district’s new zero-tolerance policy. Although there was a direct order from the superintendant and school board that each site administrator revised their respective school plans to include this policy, the policy was never...