At National Journal: The Vulnerability of Our Schools
Last week’s National Journal Education Experts blog asks about the steps schools should be taking to ensure school safety, specifically in regard to the National Rifle Association’s school safety report released this week.
I note that one of the report’s primary areas of focus is on armed personnel in schools. As this approach has shown in the past, rather than protecting students, too often, students are the ones that are policed. I say:
Zero-tolerance is too often employed by schools in an effort to create the illusion of safety, especially when that safety is called into question by tragic events like the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. And too often, enforcement of zero-tolerance discipline policies is what armed security guards in schools are called on to do.
I also note that the NRA commissioned report focuses a great deal on addressing the vulnerability of school facilities. While important to consider, the analysis presents a limited understanding of the vulnerability of our schools. Not only are we securing school facilities, but we need to create security for children:
To build schools that are both safe and conducive to student learning, we need more than a secure perimeter. Schools need to feel safe for students, and developing that kind of school climate is difficult in the best of circumstances. Going for the quick fix of guns and gates will not holistically address the vulnerability of our schools.
Read my full response here.
Image Licensed CC by crazytales562
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