Controversial New Guidelines Redefine 'Dangerous' Schools in the US

The U.S. Department of Education recently released new guidance concerning the designation of "persistently dangerous" public schools. This guidance, linked to the Unsafe School Choice Option (ESEA Section 8532), has sparked debate. The new guidelines suggest that states redefine "dangerous" to include schools with persistently poor academic performance. This has raised concerns amongst educators and parents. "They're redefining 'dangerous' to mean... whatever they want," states one concerned educator in a recent video. The video also highlights concerns about the lack of evidence supporting the claim that school resource officers necessarily improve school safety. The Department's suggestion to include unverified accounts of violence in the determination of a school's safety status further fuels the controversy. The situation underscores the complexities of defining school safety and the potential unintended consequences of policy changes.