District Administration - December 2006 - (Page 14)

Update FAST Fighting Back hen teachers learned in August that a father possibly armed was W FACT on his way to his children's elementary school in central Texas, they were ready to be predator, not prey. T he father had just threatened to shoot his wife at home and was on his way to drop off the kids at school. The teachers had undergone training for a controversial technique of standing up against would-be school violators. But More than 40% of surveyed employers say police responded and arrested him before he could do anything. The teachers later told me, `The training you gave us gave us confidence to incoming high school graduates are not deal with this,' recalls Robin Browne, an instructor for Response Options and prepared for entry-level jobs. former member of the British Army. And 28% of employers estimate that Response Options: Critical Incident Training is an organization of three their companies will reduce hiring instructors that was created in 2000 and has worked with several districts across of new entrants with only a high school the U.S., teaching students as young as 13 as well as teachers and staff they have diploma over the next five years. options and the power to immobilize a would-be sniper as a last resort. It s name only recently came to light when Burleson Independent School The report, Are They Ready to Work? District in Texas stated in October it was were using some aspects of the is based on a survey of human resource training, which covers natural disasters, such as earthquakes and tornadoes, officials by various groups, including the as well as potential shootings. Its principle is ACES Attack the problem, Partnership for 21st Century Skills. whether shooter or tornado; Control the situation; Evacuate or immobilize the attacker; and Scan for further threats. Browne says security measures such as surveillance cameras are just not working well. When a student was fatally shot in Bailey, Colo., in September, the emergency evacuation plan got students and staff to safety, but the girls the perpetrator took hostage still paid a price. Norfolk Has Top Some disagree with the tactics. Ken Trump, president of National School Safety and Security Services, Urban Board says training students to fight armed gunmen poses a high risk of multiple massacre. He says For a third consecutive year, Norfolk Public the best defense is a well-trained and highly Schools has won the Urban School Board alert school staff and student body, with an Excellence Award given by the National emergency plan. But others, including some School Board Association's Council of parents, welcome an alternative. Urban Boards of Education, or CUBE. Response Options takes away fear. Instead The school district's stability and of students hiding under desks and staying commitment to closing the achievement quiet, they are taught to throw objects at the gap helped influence the judges' decision. perpetator and then pummel him with every- t h i ng they've got, Browne says. The board is focused and shares a vision What he's faced with is insanity, Browne for students, staff and the community. says about the perpetrator. He is faced with ... It demonstrated commitment to school screa m i ng and a barrage of cell phones, books, and board governance as it worked together book bags and kids moving. and with the community during its super- Bu rleson students have been taught various intendent search. options, but officials don't want them to The winning district received $5,000 attack the intruder. for its student scholarship fund. The length of training depends on Other finalists include Houston the school, but teachers get at least four Independent School District and Miami- hours and students get at least an hour Dade Public Schools. for combative training. Robin Browne w w w.responseop tions.com 14 December 2006 District Administration DA_1206_Update.indd 14 11/13/06 11:20:40 AM http://www.responseoptions.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - December 2006

Contents
Editor's Letter
Update
Inside The Law
Curriculum Update
Administrator Profile
District Profile
Mayor controls LA district
Who's In Charge In LA?
How Safe Is Your School
National school security plan
District Administration's 6th Annual Salary Survey
Fresh Chance for New Orleans Schools
Fresh start for New Orleans
Alfie Kohn on the homework myth
The Homework Myth
Conventional Guide to Birds of a Feather
Speaking Out
Anne Bryant on school board relations
Professional Opinion
Principal Opinion
Problem/Solution
Leadership Books
New Products
By the Numbers

District Administration - December 2006