By Erica Tomas Juarez, with additional reporting by Michelle Jokisch Polo Thursday, October 26, 2017
For 25 years, Michigan has had one of the harshest school disciplines in the country. For students like Erica Tomas Juarez who were expelled under this "zero tolerance" policy, navigating next steps were often a difficult path. In the summer of 2017, the law was changed, allowing for open dialogue and restorative practices to be implemented statewide, aiming to prevent stories like Juarez', and keep more kids in school.