While active shooter drills have become commonplace in U.S. schools, experts raise concerns about their effectiveness and potential negative impacts on student mental health. The drills, designed to prepare students for gun violence, lack substantial evidence supporting their efficacy. However, they can cause anxiety, depression, and even serve as blueprints for potential attackers, according to some researchers.
Miami-Dade Schools Police Officers perform rescue operation during a"Large-Scale Functional Active Shooter Drill" at Miami Senior High School in Miami, Florida on August 14, 2023.Active shooter drills have become the norm in schools across the U.S., but experts warn they have the potential to cause more harm than good.
Over 95% of public schools in the U.S. have trained students on lockdown procedures to be used in the event of an active shooter incident, a number that has risen significantly since the early 2000s, according to a 2017 U.S. Department of EducationDespite their ubiquity, few standards exist regulating how these drills should be conducted, Burd-Sharps said. As a result, the practices can range widely, she said. In some schools, training may consist of basic education on lockdown procedures.
MORE: Text messages between parents, kids tell story of fear and chaos during Georgia school shootingin Michigan, said she and her classmates hadn't taken active shooter drills very seriously until the attack that killed four students and injured seven others. The organization urged strongly against simulated gunfire, which they say can traumatize participants and risk physical injuries, without improving the exercises' effectiveness. It's a stance Burd-Sharps and other experts said is crucial for conducting safer trainings.
Active Shooter Drills School Safety Mental Health Gun Violence Education Policy
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