Assemblyman Chris Ward, D-San Diego, Tuesday introduced a bill to ensure schools follow guidelines to responsibly conduct active shooter drills.
As a result of an increased push for students and staff to be “proactive” during such drills, simulations of mock shootings with trainers acting out the part of a school shooter, students lying on the floor to represent victims, and even the use of fake weapons and blood have had a negative impact on students, Ward said.
“When it comes to fire drills, we are not filling the halls with smoke and turning up the thermostat,” he said. “We should not be doing the same to our kids when it comes to active shooter drills.
“This legislation will set clear standards for California schools on how to move forward with these drills, as well as ensure the students who participate have easy access to mental health resources,” Ward said. “We need to make sure these drills are not doing more harm than good in preparing our students in the possibility of these tragic events occurring.”
Assembly Bill 1858, the Safe and Prepared Schools Act, came about following a joint study conducted by Everytown for Gun Safety and the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Social Dynamics and Wellbeing Lab.
Those researchers found a link between active school drills and a dramatic increase in depression, anxiety, stress and other mental health concerns for students following their participation, as well as significant impacts to their physical health.
According to Ward’s office, there have been at least two documented instances of an active shooter drill in a California school causing concern from parents and school staff. In one case, a school administrator failed to notify parents or school staff about an active shooter drill, leading to mass confusion and panic. The other more recent case involved a school principal who was put on a leave of absence after pretending to shoot students during an active shooter drill.
“I am devastated that school shooter drills have become such a common part of our children’s education, but it is a grim reality we must face given the egregious school shootings that have occurred in our country and state,” said Assemblyman Mike A. Gipson, D-Carson, a co-author of the bill. “Our responsibility as lawmakers is to ensure that schools are prepared to handle emergencies effectively, while minimizing the potential of traumatizing our students.”
AB 1858 would create a “permissive and structured procedural guidance” to be available through the California Department of Education that is focused on preparedness, open communication and minimizing the trauma that currently is caused by school shooter drills.
Ward said the guidance will include:
— Standardized week-of parental notification of an event;
— Day-of parental notification after the event has taken place;
— A requirement that the drills are age appropriate for the students experiencing them;
— School-wide announcement that a drill is being conducted at the start of the drill and following the drill; and
— Information with local resources is to be available to address potential issues raised by students and parents.
Additionally, AB 1858 will prohibit the use of simulated fire in school shooter drills.
— City News Service