Legal and Ethical Principles Guide for Educators by Kelly Hardin https://padlet.com/khardin41/ltylz68mm28fznvy en-us 2022-07-11 21:43:06 UTC 2022-07-13 19:41:19 UTC hello@padlet.com Slide 1-Professional Perspective khardin41 https://padlet.com/khardin41/ltylz68mm28fznvy/wish/2242057038 School shootings are becoming more frequent. Every school year, we hear about another tragic shooting. As a school Principal, school safety and protecting students and staff from school shootings is becoming an issue at the forefront of societal concerns. My target audience is principals and administrators. I chose the topic of firearms and active shooters on campus because school safety is always a top priority, and with the increase of mental health concerns, and ability to access firearms, all administrators should be well prepared, and should know how to prepare their staff. ]]> 2022-07-12 20:01:17 UTC https://padlet.com/khardin41/ltylz68mm28fznvy/wish/2242057038 Slide 2-Interview khardin41 https://padlet.com/khardin41/ltylz68mm28fznvy/wish/2242067715 According to my interview with Jason Brown, principal at James Williams Elementary, firearm safety and active shooter drills adds another layer of planning and decision making on the operations for a campus. As an administrator, it adds another layer of training for staff and students and thinking about events so that the school remains safe. Texas is an "open carry" state, meaning any person who holds the appropriate documentation can legally carry a gun with them anywhere they go. School property, however, is a zone where carrying guns is not allowed. It is important to know how to prepare staff and students for a situation of an unauthorized person coming on campus while carrying a firearm. 

Some best practices regarding firearm safety at schools include:
  • Contacting parents of students who are in law enforcement to discuss guidelines of carrying a gun on campus.
  • Providing professional development regarding what to do if an unauthorized person is carrying a gun on campus.
  • Providing frequent drills so all students and staff are aware of the steps to take in the case of a dangerous situation.  
  • Staying in frequent communication with district and local law authority. 

In May 2022, Texas experienced its most deadly elementary school shooting. Once again, the issue of gun control and school safety is as the forefront of hot topics. Many argue that stricter gun laws would be helpful in reducing the amount of school shootings. Some argue that the best defense against a person with a gun is another person with a gun, and that teachers should be allowed to carry guns on campus. If teachers are granted permission to carry a gun on campus, and administrator's responsibility regarding firearms on campus will be greatly altered. It is difficult to predict the outcome of what ever path is chosen, however, it is of the utmost importance to train faculty and students the steps to take in the event of an active shooter.

https://www.katyisd.org/JWE




]]> 2022-07-12 20:31:54 UTC https://padlet.com/khardin41/ltylz68mm28fznvy/wish/2242067715 Slide 3-Professional Association khardin41 https://padlet.com/khardin41/ltylz68mm28fznvy/wish/2242079406 After the May school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Legislation met to discuss gun laws. A bipartisan bill was signed that made access to guns more difficult, and addressed the need for more mental health support in schools. This article discusses the new laws outlined in the Safer Communities Act.  https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/bipartisan-bill-breaks-decades-inaction-gun-violence

https://alerrt.org/CivilianResponse
Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) is a training that is provided to schools to prepare students and staff for the event of an active shooter. It is a course that is taught by law enforcement officials that can provide life saving strategies for schools.

https://www.ncsl.org/research/education/school-safety-guns-in-schools.aspx
The article School Safety: Guns in School discusses the idea of allowing teachers to carry guns on campus. In Florida, there is a school guardian program that allows teachers to carry a gun upon completion of 132 hours of comprehensive firearm safety and proficiency training, 12 hours of diversity training, pass a psychological evaluation, and initial drug test and subsequent random drug tests" (Benjamin Erwin, 2022).

Benjamin Erwin, L. K. (2022, May 30). School safety: guns in schools. Retrieved from https://www.ncsl.org/research/education/school-safety-guns-in-schools.aspx 


]]> 2022-07-12 21:06:08 UTC https://padlet.com/khardin41/ltylz68mm28fznvy/wish/2242079406 Slide 4-Current News Article khardin41 https://padlet.com/khardin41/ltylz68mm28fznvy/wish/2242080367 The article Biden Decries School Shootings at White House Event Marking New Gun Measure outlines the press conference that President Biden held to discuss the new Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. In the article, it discusses some of the laws that will make access to guns more challenging, and how mental health support will be increased in schools. Some people in attendance of the press conference included members of the Uvalde community, who had recently experienced the loss of 19 students and two teachers as the hands of a gunman, and parents of victims of other school shootings. Some view the steps in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act as a step in the right direction in reducing school shootings, while others view it as not enough (Walsh, 2022).

Walsh, Mark. (2022, July 11).  Biden decries school shootings at White House event marking new gun measure. Retrieved from https://www.edweek.org/leadership/biden-decries-school-shootings-at-white-house-event-marking-new-gun-measure/2022/07   ]]> 2022-07-12 21:09:42 UTC https://padlet.com/khardin41/ltylz68mm28fznvy/wish/2242080367 Slide 5-Current News Article khardin41 https://padlet.com/khardin41/ltylz68mm28fznvy/wish/2242080421 Following the mass shooting in Uvalde, schools reported that there was an increase in violent threats against schools across the nation. In the article Violent threats against schools increase after Uvalde shooting, Naaz Modan discusses how the number of student misbehaviors increased since students returned to schools after being closed due to COVID-19. Following the Uvalde shooting, violent threats at schools increased. Many would argue that schools should respond by increasing the level of law enforcement, practiced active shooter drills, and increased the efforts to complete backpack and locker searches, but mental health professionals advise against it, claiming that it can increase the level of trauma for students, especially following a mass shooting (Modan, 2022).  

Modan, Naaz. (2022, June 2). Violent threats against schools increase after Uvalde shooting. Retrieved from https://www.k12dive.com/news/violent-threats-against-schools-increase-after-uvalde-shooting/624799/
]]> 2022-07-12 21:09:53 UTC https://padlet.com/khardin41/ltylz68mm28fznvy/wish/2242080421 Slide 6-Original Source of the Law khardin41 https://padlet.com/khardin41/ltylz68mm28fznvy/wish/2242080540 https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-2/
The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution is the right to bear arms. It states "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed"  (U.S. Const. amend. II). This constitutional law protects the U.S. citizens right to own firearms.   
  • Must be at least 18 years old.
  • Must undergo a background check.
  • Must also meet certain personal requirements, such as you cannot have certain mental illnesses, and you cannot have a history of violence. 

]]> 2022-07-12 21:10:21 UTC https://padlet.com/khardin41/ltylz68mm28fznvy/wish/2242080540 Slide 7-Original Source of the Law khardin41 https://padlet.com/khardin41/ltylz68mm28fznvy/wish/2242080578 https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/HB1927/2021

In 2021, Texas Legislature passed House Bill 1927 (HB 1927). This legislative law allows Texas to carry a firearm on them at all times. 

  • Must be 21 years old.
  • Must have legally purchased the firearm.
  • Do not need a license to carry the holstered gun.
  • Cannot carry the weapon on places such as schools, court houses, airports, and polling locations. 
]]> 2022-07-12 21:10:28 UTC https://padlet.com/khardin41/ltylz68mm28fznvy/wish/2242080578 Slide 8-Original Source of the Law khardin41 https://padlet.com/khardin41/ltylz68mm28fznvy/wish/2242080614 https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/education-code/educ-sect-37-125.html
Texas Education Code 37.125 (Tex. Educ. Code § 37.125) is a statutory law that states that it is illegal to bring a gun on and around a school campus, and on school buses.
  • A fire arm cannot be exhibited in these locations.
  • A threat of harm cannot be made in these locations. 
  • An offense of either of these will either result in a felony or class a misdemeanor.
]]> 2022-07-12 21:10:36 UTC https://padlet.com/khardin41/ltylz68mm28fznvy/wish/2242080614 Slide 9-Original Source of the Law khardin41 https://padlet.com/khardin41/ltylz68mm28fznvy/wish/2242080779 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/922.html

The Gun Free School Zones Act of 1990 (18 U.S. Code § 922 (q) (3) (A)) states that, "It shall be unlawful for any individual knowingly to possess a firearm that has moved in or that otherwise affects interstate and foreign commerce at a place that the individual knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, is a school zone." This administrative law states that it is illegal to carry guns into a school zone. 

Some exceptions include:
  • By an individual who is part of a program approved by the school.
  • A law enforcement official.
  • If the gun is not loaded and in a locked container inside a vehicle. 

]]> 2022-07-12 21:10:42 UTC https://padlet.com/khardin41/ltylz68mm28fznvy/wish/2242080779 Slide 10-Local Administrative Law/Policy/Rule khardin41 https://padlet.com/khardin41/ltylz68mm28fznvy/wish/2242080878 According to the Katy ISD Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct, "students are prohibited from using, or exhibiting threatening to exhibit or use a firearm in a manner intending to cause alarm or personal injury to another person or to damage school property in or on any property, including a parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area, that is owned by a private or public school, or of a vehicle owned or operated by the District being used to transport children to or from school-sponsored activities. Students in violation will be disciplined as required by state law" (KISD, 2022, p. 10). Students who violate this local administrative policy will be expelled for one year. There are many other examples of weapons that can result in expulsion, however firearms are the weapon that are causing mass casualties in school. ]]> 2022-07-12 21:11:04 UTC https://padlet.com/khardin41/ltylz68mm28fznvy/wish/2242080878 Slide 11-Ethical Principle khardin41 https://padlet.com/khardin41/ltylz68mm28fznvy/wish/2242080960 https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=7&ch=247&rl=2
The Educator's Code of Ethics standard 3.2 states that "the educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly treat a student or minor in a manner that adversely affects or endangers the learning, physical health, mental health, or safety of the student or minor" (TAC §247.2). The ethics code stated can be interpreted many ways. In regards to firearms on campus, and active shooters, it can be interpreted to mean that an educator should not be permitted to bring a firearm on campus, not because of the teacher's ill intentions, but other people who can access the firearm. If teachers are allowed to carry guns on campus, it has the potential to lead to an ethical dilemma if the the gun falls into the wrong hands. ]]> 2022-07-12 21:11:19 UTC https://padlet.com/khardin41/ltylz68mm28fznvy/wish/2242080960 Slide 12-Personal Connection to the Legal and Ethical Standards khardin41 https://padlet.com/khardin41/ltylz68mm28fznvy/wish/2242081048 As an educator in today's society, active shooter drills are a regular part of the school year. While school zones are protected as gun free zones, the laws are making access to guns easier. As an educator, I feel that the laws are contradictory. We must make schools safe, yet guns are easier than ever to access. The mass shooting in Uvalde revealed that there are many gaps in school safety, and the best way to be proactive is to train staff and students how to stay safe in the event of an active shooter. It is my goal as an educator, and as an administrator to ensure that I and my staff are well informed and trained on active shooter response in order to maintain a safe learning environment for all students.  ]]> 2022-07-12 21:11:38 UTC https://padlet.com/khardin41/ltylz68mm28fznvy/wish/2242081048 Slide 13-Bulleted list of Recommendations / Best Practices for Compliance khardin41 https://padlet.com/khardin41/ltylz68mm28fznvy/wish/2242081201 Best practices for firearm safety on campus:
  • Maintain frequent contact with district and local law enforcement.
  • Attend National Incident Management System (NIMS) trainings to know the steps for emergency management and response.
  • Communicate with parents that are members of law enforcement that guns can only be carried on campus if they have their badge displayed.
  • Train faculty on methods to keeping the campus safe. Encourage the "see something, say something" mentality.
  • Train faculty and staff on CRASE steps to take in the event of an active shooter. 
  • Educate the students on what to do in the case of an active shooter.
  • Practice safety drills frequently as a whole school. 
  • Attend district safety liaison meetings, and communicate changes with staff. 
  • Increase mental health support for students from school counselors.


  
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