U.S . Education Secretary Betsy DeVos Proposing Title IV-A Funds be Used to Arm Teachers
The Following Can be Attributed to OEA President Becky Higgins:
“The idea of arming teachers is simply a bad idea. It does not make our schools and our students safer.
The suggestion that Title IV-A funds, which are meant to be used for mental health, bullying prevention, and other programs would be used to put guns into our classrooms is unacceptable.
It reflects the misplaced values of this administration. If we use the funds for what they were intended to be used for, we might start tackling some of the issues that lead to gun violence.
Our focus should be on what we do best — providing a quality education to our students.
Teachers and other school employees should not be asked to serve a dual role by having concealed weapons to face school intruders. Our focus should be on what we do best – providing a quality education to our students.
In a National Education Association member poll, conducted this past spring, educators strongly rejected arming teachers and other school faculty.
The poll also showed overwhelming support for stronger gun violence prevention laws, including wide-ranging and enforceable background checks to prevent dangerous people from purchasing guns.”
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• Petition: Urge Legislators to Support Common-Sense Safety Reforms
