Top Democrats Host Forum on School Safety

WASHINGTON – ON TUESDAY, March 20^th, Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), Ranking Member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Committee Democrats, and Democratic leadership will host a forum to examine issues of school climate, school safety, and violence prevention. Members are invited to hear from and question experts and practitioners on research and best practices around promoting improved school climate through evidence-based preventative measures.

Despite Committee Democrats’ request for a hearing in the immediate aftermath of the tragic school shooting Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, no such hearing has been scheduled. Ranking Member Scott extended an invitation to Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (NC-05), Chairwoman of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and Committee Republicans to participate in the forum. Secretary Betsy DeVos was invited to participate as a panelist, but unfortunately declined the invitation. 

MEMBERS:
Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03), Committee on Education and the Workforce
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA-12)
House Democratic Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (MD-05)
Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22)
Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-05)
More Members to be announced

PANELISTS:    
Dr. Akil E. Ross, Sr., Principal at Chapin High School
Stacey Lippel, English Teacher and Survivor of Shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
Dr. Dewey G. Cornell, Forensic Clinical Psychologist and Professor of Education at the University of Virginia
Coldayne Hayden, Student at High School for Energy and Technology, New York, NY
Joaquin Tamayo, Former Teacher, Principal, and Obama Administration Official
Dr. Dianna Wentzell, Connecticut Commissioner of Education

WHAT: Members will host a forum examining evidence-based violence prevention and school safety measures.

WATCH: The event will be livestreamed here.