For Immediate Release
08/23/2018
Contact: David Card
202.408.9514 x122
[email protected]
WASHINGTON, DC – Curt Decker, executive director of the National Disability Rights Network, issued the following statement in response to reports that the U.S. Department of Education is considering allowing schools to use federal funds to purchase guns:
“The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) voices its strong opposition to any plan by the U.S. Department of Education to make allowable funds, under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), to be used to arm teachers and school staff.
“In the wake of heart wrenching school shootings, our country is currently engaged in a needed national conversation about how to best make our schools safe, healthy and nurturing environments which promote student learning and growth.
“Instead of looking at simplistic and potentially dangerous solutions such as increasing the number of guns in our schools, we must fully fund and support programs we know work. For example, we must truly scale up and provide training for proven programs like Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, Trauma Informed Practices and Restorative Justice to ensure that the professionals in schools have the training and resources needed to implement such models with fidelity. We must also ensure that schools and communities have ample mental health professionals available for support, and to provide services for students and families.
“Solutions such as these will provide a carefully crafted web of support for all students and communities and help ensure that our schools are safe and nurturing learning environments. More guns in our schools is quite simply not the answer.”
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The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) is the nonprofit membership organization for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems and the Client Assistance Programs (CAP) for individuals with disabilities. Collectively, the Network is the largest provider of legally based advocacy services to people with disabilities in the United States.
