"Zero tolerance" is defined as the "act of suspending a student for a long period of time (such as 1 year) or expelling the student permanently because of an act of violence or potential violence that is prohibited by school district policy." Typically, such policies prohibit the possession or use of weapons such as bombs, guns, and knives on school property. In addition, drug distribution is usually considered a zero tolerance violation, as are extortion and other acts of violence committed by individuals or gangs. Opponents of such a policy argue that schools should not only continue to educate students who are involved in the aforementioned violations, but that schools should provide counseling and support services to those students to mitigate the negative elements so often found in their personal lives. This view places ideology above practicality. The primary role of the schools has always been to foster academic understanding and to transmit cultural beliefs from one generation to the next. Educational institutions are not designed nor funded to mitigate the negative effects of our society on some students. The only way schools can preserve their educational function is to remove from the school environment those who disrupt the educational environment for students who come expecting and wanting an education. Such students have a right to a safe, effective, and supportive learning environment.