Federal funding for school emergency management programs | 05.21.2007 | 08:28:25 | Views: 5931 | ID: May 21 '07: A Government Accountability Office report looked at the role of the federal government in providing funding for school emergency management programs on the state and local level. The report found that funding on the federal level to elementary and high schools would help to increase the amount of preparedness and response in light of the recent school shootings at Virginia Tech. Currently, the report found, there are 32 states which have enacted laws to provide funding for emergency preparedness and response programs for their schools, however, there are several roadblocks hindering clear lines of funding and where that funding should go. Additionally, through around the country, school districts "have taken steps to plan for a range of emergencies," many do not address "federally recommended practices," the report found. And based on a survey compiled by the GAO, a full 56 percent of all school districts nationally "have not employed any procedures in their plans for continuing student education in the event of an extended school closure." Those findings echo recent comments made by South Carolina Camden Middle School Principal Jeff Jordan who said that though his school was prepared for natural disasters like tornadoes and hurricanes but that "he had concerns ... with scenarios like intruders and shooters," and the ability for schools to communicate with local authorities. To help prepare Jordan said he would volunteer his school for a shooter scenario practice drill. "If they can do it in my school, they can do it anywhere," he said.(Click below to download file) schoolemergencymanage.pdf
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