According to a new report from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 70 percent of public schools in the U.S. currently exercise some sort of mass shooting drill or training scenario. But here’s the bizarre thing: Only 43 percent employ armed guards, and a paltry 24 percent retain armed security on a full-time basis.
It always pays to be prepared for bad situations, and school safety drills have the potential to promote readiness. But the fact that so many schools are investing resources in drilling without having a plausible way to actually stop a shooter is a troubling indication that educators are going through the motions without any intention of solving the real problem. It’s irresponsible to treat school shooters like natural disasters that students should hunker down and avoid. What we should be doing is taking the proper steps to keep our children safe.
