Letter from Senator Warren

Dear John,

Thank you for contacting me about school safety. 

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has observed that "no school can be a great school until it is a safe school first."  I agree with Secretary Duncan.  Schools need the resources to assess and respond to their security needs and to provide personnel with the training they need to keep classrooms, hallways, and playgrounds safe.  Improving physical security, staff and student safety awareness, and coordination with local law enforcement are important steps that will make our schools safer. 

Creating safer environments for students must also involve creating school communities that are welcoming and supportive.  Unfortunately, a recent study by the National Center for Education Statistics found that around 28% of students ages 12 through 18 reported being bullied in school at least once in the year prior to the sudy.  Students who are bullied demonstrate lower academic achievement, are more likely to miss school, have increased anxiety levels, and are at greater risk of experiencing depression.  If students are to excel, we must make sure that schools are places where all young people -- regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or race -- can feel confident and respected. 

For these and other reasons, I believe that improvements to physical security should be accompanied by efforts to make school environments more welcoming and supportive.  I believe that government can help promote safe schools by providing resources to improve physical security, keeping students safe and expanding access to mental health services for students.  Government can also take action by prohibiting discrimination against students based on personal characteristics and by requiring local education agencies to establish guidelines, both for students and school personnel, that address bullying. 

I will be sure to keep your comments in mind as I work with my colleagues on these issues. 

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Warren
United States Senator

Washington, DC Russell Senate Office Building 2 Russell Courtyard Washington, DC 20510 Phone: 202-224-4543

Boston, MA 2400 JFK Federal Building 15 New Sudbury Street Boston, MA 02203 Phone: 617-565-3170

Springfield, MA 1550 Main Street Suite 406 Springfield, MA 01103 Phone: 413-788-2690