More Collaboration is Needed to Protect Kids from Violence at School, Witnesses Tell Education House Panel
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Witnesses testified today that more collaboration is needed between school officials, community leaders, students and parents in order to protect kids from acts of violence at school.
“A school must be a place where children feel secure so that they can focus on learning, growing, and being kids,” said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA). “Stopping an outside intruder from attacking students is only the last line of defense when it comes to school safety. Protecting children from violence and freeing students to learn means ensuring that states, districts, schools and communities have the resources and supports needed to implement evidence-based approaches that are tailored to the unique needs of students in that area.”
Witnesses testified that school violence is more extensive than weapons in schools. They said that children encounter violence and threats of violence beyond the school house door. For instance, children are likely to encounter gang violence, bullying, depression and harassment in their daily lives.
Witnesses discussed various methods to improve school safety, including access to mental health, anti-bullying programs, fair discipline policies, and inclusive social and emotional learning.
“Every member of the school staff must be equipped to respond appropriately and effectively to a student who is troubled or potentially violent,” said Vincent Pompei, a school counselor in Val Verde Unified School District in San Diego. “Instead of playing guessing games, it should be routine for educators to receive instruction in creating a healthy, safe, and inclusive school climate.”
Today’s hearing is the first school safety hearing since the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut took place. It is also the first school safety hearing for the committee since Republicans have been in the majority.
Witnesses explained that schools, working in collaboration with parents and community leaders, should implement evidence-based policies that support a safe learning environment and reflect the unique needs of students and the community.
“Safe and successful schools create positive school climates where students have good social and emotional skills, feel physically and emotionally safe, are connected to and supported by their teachers, and feel challenged and are engaged in learning,” said Dr. David Osher, Vice President of the American Institutes for Research. “These schools do this by employing a three-tiered approach to social emotional learning, positive behavioral support, the support of student and family engagement, and addressing students’ academic and mental health needs.
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