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My professional perspective reflects the viewpoint of a middle school counselor.  I selected the topic of Campus Carry and created a Legal Guide padlet serving to inform faculty and staff members employed within the middle school campus. I chose this topic out of concern from recent school shootings and Texas Legislature passed in attempts to prevent such as of terror on school campuses. Texas Legislature approved SB 11 mandating an action plan ensuring school safety and mental health awareness within Texas public schools (Tex. S.B. 11, 2019). Due to “the U.S. statistics of 387 school shootings since 1992” implementing different safety measures searching for “best practices” most suited for each school has been a topic of interest (Walker et al., 2018). Knowing this fact, my professional prospective is in favor to take action in order to protect the students, the schools, and the faculty and staff within the districts. Campus Carry is one approach in the prevention and the protection of threats, potentially minimizing the outcome.

Safe and Healthy Schools, Tex. S.B. 11, 86th R., ch. 464, 2019. https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/86R/billtext/html/SB00011F.HTM

Walker, D. R., & Sampson, P. M. (2018). Active shooter events: The guardian plan. School Leadership Review, 13(1), 71-76.

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Cervantez, the Ozona Middle School counselor was strongly in favor of campus carry and the implementation of programs advocating for school safety via prevention and awareness training. Being the school counselor, her knowledge of best practices and collaboration among committee members is vitally important in order to ensure correct action is taken in times of crisis and all members follow like protocol. Cervantez acknowledges her legal and ethical responsibilities plus student duties via the implementation of a comprehensive school counseling program as stated within the Texas Model. Recent school shootings push legislation enforcing heightened safety and health procedures involving the school counselor as a committee member and advocator.

Best practices include:

•The implementation of the Guardian Program.

•The development of an Emergency Response Database and Safety Audit Programs.

•The training and support in specific crisis response and non-violent intervention techniques including classroom management and staff responsibilities during a crisis.

An emerging issue concerning campus carry educators should anticipate is to obey and follow their required safety responsibilities and part during a crisis as stated within new enforced legislation. The school counselor creates the necessary committees, the plans or programs for guidance and support, and the needed practice or awareness ensuring common understanding among all stakeholders. Identification of behavior patterns and warnings is everyone's responsibility as a prevention measure. Cervantez promotes collaboration and awareness of current events, of new legislation, and of self-motivation to protect oneself and others (T. Cervantez, personal communication, July 13, 2022).

Taylor Cervantez, Ozona Middle School Counselor, Crockett County Consolidated Common School District.

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The Texas Association of School Boards offers multiple training opportunities concerning campus carry.  Several trainings include School Safety Services, Special Populations Program Reviews Boost Success for Your School District’s Most Vulnerable Students, School Marshals and Other School District Personnel Carrying Firearms, Operationalizing School Behavioral Threat Assessment FAQ, etc. The links below offer direct access.

•https://www.tasb.org/home.aspx

•https://www.tasb.org/services/legal-services/tasb-school-law-esource/business/documents/operationalizing-sch-bta.pdf

•https://www.tasb.org/services/school-safety-services.aspx

•https://www.tasb.org/services/legal-services/tasb-school-law-esource/business/documents/sch_marshals_and_other_personnel_carrying_firearms.pdf

•https://www.tasb.org/members/enhance-district/program-reviews.aspx

The link below is a PowerPoint Presentation offers valuable information concerning campus carry, its history, and resources too.

https://utexas.app.box.com/v/campus-carry-basics

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Hernández, S. H. (2021). Surviving campus carry: A CRT analysis of faculty of color at a Texas public PWI. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education. [online publication]. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/dhe0000372

Hernández (2021) interviewed “Faculty of Color (FoC)” gaining their perspectives concerning campus carry on “predominately White institutions (PWI)” in Texas applying the “Critical Race Theory (CRT) as a framework” (p. 1). I match the participants in this study being a minority and employed at a public school where most staff members are White. Results show:

•“autonomy” is granted to per institute if it aligns with state policy concerning the “develop and implement” of its guidelines, referring to best practices suited for itself,

• like topics emerged among participants as “feel safe” behaviors, “heightened surveillance and anxiety,” and “strength and resiliency” developing coping skills within each topic (p.6),

•the need to address faculty safety as well as student safety within Texas institutions.

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Lou, F. & Shi, W. (2022). Frontline support for concealed carry on campus: A case study in a border town. American Journal of Criminal Justice, 47, 98-116. https://doi.org/10.1007/S12103-020-09565-X

Lou et al. (2022) conducted a study to gain the viewpoint of the “minority population” within a border town institution of higher education (p. 99). Both articles include studies at the university level within Texas concerning campus carry, safe atmospheres, and minority populations. The investigation data shows support and concern for the campus carry Texas policy. Data found:

•Campus carry support to prevent violent acts and for protection while others felt this policy would intensify school shootings and suicides,

•Prospective of educators and students regarding campus carry and their level of knowledge influencing their opinions,

•Survey results show awareness of a campus carry policy however details about the policy are unknown.

The need for campus carry policy awareness is the obligation of all stakeholders however, expertise among legislators, educators, and students plus their families is necessary.

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Slide #6 Original Sources of Law: Statutory Law

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Slide #6 Original Sources of Law: Statutory Law

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•Texas Legislature approved SB 11 mandating an action plan ensuring school safety and mental health awareness within Texas public schools (Tex. S.B. 11, 2019).

Safe and Healthy Schools, Tex. S.B. 11, 86th R., ch. 464, 2019. https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/86R/billtext/html/SB00011F.HTM

•Texas Penal Code 46.03(a)(1) offers optional safety measures permitting an individual the authority to have a gun while on campus. This statutory law aligns with the constitutional law of the Second Amendment in the U.S. Constitution.

Texas Penal Code 46.03. http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/PE/htm/PE.46.htm#46.03

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Slide #7 Original Sources of Law: Administrative Law

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Slide #7 Original Sources of Law: Administrative Law

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•Texas Education Agency required all Texas schools establish a threat assessment team and accessible training  “identifying, evaluating, and addressing threats or potential threats” and “identify threatening behaviors by students (current and former) . … or other individuals” promoting school safety (37 TAC § 37.115; Sanders, 2022, para. 4).

Discipline; Law and Order, 37. Tex. Admin. Code § 37.115 https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.37.htm#37.115

Sanders, J. (2022). Central Texas school safety: Threat assessment teams. KXAN News. https://www.kxan.com/news/education/central-texas-school-safety-threat-assessment-teams/

•The Educators’ Code of Ethics aligns with ethical standards for school counselors the American School Counselor Association (2016) states in A.6. Appropriate Referrals and Advocacy, A.9. Serious and Foreseeable Harm to Self and Others, and A.13. Evaluation, Assessment and Interpretation.

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Slide #8 Original Sources of Law: Judicial Law

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Slide #8 Original Sources of Law: Judicial Law

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•Texas District Court terminated the case of Andrew Johnson v. Dallas Independent School District in which Johnson stated school liability for his sons’ death due to an unsafe school atmosphere and neglectful use of school security measures by a trespasser opening fire on school grounds he accessed undetected (Johnson v. Dallas Independent School District, 1994).

https://www.txcourts.gov/supreme/

•Supreme Court case The District of Columbus v. Heller (2008) marks the interpretation of the U.S. Constitution, Second Amendment privilege to have a gun as use it for protection.

https://www.supremecourt.gov/

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Slide #9 Original Sources of Law: Constitutional Law 

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Slide #9 Original Sources of Law: Constitutional Law 

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•The U.S. Constitution adopted the Second Amendment granting American citizen the freedom to own weapons as guns (U.S. Const. amend. II). The freedom to utilize guns was intended for protection and survival decided by the Founding Fathers however, recent school shootings demonstrate the contrary.

www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution

•The Texas Constitution adopted the Texas Bill of Rights granting Texas citizens the freedom to own weapons and to wear it in order to prevent crime (Texas Const. art. 1 § 23).

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov

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Crockett County Consolidated Common School District (CCCCSD) District Improvement Plan states public school learners receive their education in a safe atmosphere and free of drugs in order to have the best outcome for learning because every educator receives on-going “training in classroom management and staff responsibilities during a crisis” (p. 21-22). The CCCCSD District Improvement Plan also states continual “enhance safety and security processes for students and staff” by creating and implementing best practices.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1999/Crockett_County_CCSD/2186803/21-22_CCCCSD_DIP_.pdf

The Ozona Middle School Campus Improvement Plan aligns with CCCCSD District Improvement Plan concerning safety and crisis within local policy.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1999/Crockett_County_CCSD/2186800/OMS_CIP_21-22.pdf

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The school counselor ethical standards state “a safe school environment promoting autonomy and justice and free from abuse, bullying, harassment and other forms of violence” signifying the responsibility to advocate for a safe school, prevention, and protection through the implementation of a developed program and a plan (American School Counselor Association, 2016, Preamble).

American School Counselor Association. (2016). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/f041cbd0-7004-47a5-ba01-3a5d657c6743/Ethical-Standards.pdf

Administrative Law mandates Texas schools establish a threat assessment team and accessible training  “identifying, evaluating, and addressing threats or potential threats” and “identify threatening behaviors by students (current and former) . … or other individuals” promoting school safety (37 TAC § 37.115; Sanders, 2022, para. 4).

Discipline; Law and Order, 37. Tex. Admin. Code § 37.115 https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.37.htm#37.115

The Educators’ Code of Ethics aligns with ethical standards for school counselors the American School Counselor Association (2016) states in A.6. Appropriate Referrals and Advocacy, A.9. Serious and Foreseeable Harm to Self and Others, and A.13. Evaluation, Assessment and Interpretation.

Educators’ Code of Ethics, 19 Tex. Admin. Code § 247.2.

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Slide #12 Personal Connection to the Legal and Ethical Standards

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Slide #12 Personal Connection to the Legal and Ethical Standards

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Current state of law mandates action through the development of a plan and formation of a collaborative committee determined to “identifying, evaluating, and addressing threats or potential threats” and “identify threatening behaviors by students (current and former) . … or other individuals” promoting school safety (37 TAC § 37.115). As an aspiring school counselor, it is imperative to maintain informed of current events,  to be competent of data-driven strategies and techniques, and to be knowledgeable of school counselor responsibilities, policy, and of the laws. Advocacy and endorsement are vital in promoting school safety and healthy students.

Discipline; Law and Order, 37. Tex. Admin. Code § 37.115 https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.37.htm#37.115

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•to establish an Emergency Response Database and Safety Audit Programs

•to design an Emergency and Crisis Response Plan

•training and support in specific crisis response and non-violent intervention techniques including classroom management and staff responsibilities during a crisis

•to implement the Guardian Program

•annual review and verification documentation of program completion of participants

•awareness and collaboration among stakeholders ensuring like information and training is received by everyone

The best practices listed above advocate for awareness, training, collaboration, and for a plan to follow altogether.