Dayton Daily News education reporter Scott Elliott writes about schools, kids, teaching and learning.
Home > Blogs > Get on the Bus > Archives > 2006 > October > 16 > Entry
Taking the fight to an attacker
Forget locking the doors and hiding under desks. In one Texas school district, an intruder alert means something altogether different. It’s a call for the kids to attack.
And as crazy as that sounds, they might be right.
Could these recent violent school incidents do for school safety what the 9/11 hijackings did for air safety? That is, turn compliant victims into fighters?
After 9/11, I would be surprised if you’ll ever see an airliner hijacked again without a fight. Remember the shoe bomber, Richard Reid? A few months after the terror attacks he tried to light a bomb built into his shoe on an overseas flight and was quickly attacked and subdued by other passengers. Sept. 11 taught us that sometimes your only chance is to fight when you have the chance.
The way these latest school shootings have gone down, it’s not outlandish to suggest a school’s best chance in a threatening situation is to use its advantage — the attackers are always going to be outnumbered. A school staff and student body trained to attack at the first sign of trouble might actually prove effective at heading off a bigger tragedy.
Or, it might turn a situation that could be diffused without violence into one in which innocent victims are unnecessarily harmed?
Teacher-blogger Chem Jerk says this idea is insane, comparing it what he says is an equally crazy idea — allowing students and staff to pack heat.
What’s your take? Is the attack-first posture justifiable?
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: School Violence
Comments
By Andrew Pass
October 17, 2006 6:09 PM | Link to this
Scott, The most important skill that we can teach our students is how to think on their feet and weigh their options before they act. This skill is not only good when others are being aggressive towards them, it’s good in every circumstance in life. Certainly, sometimes our students will make the wrong decision. Sometimes adults make the wrong decision. But even when we don’t act, we are doing something, we’re not acting. Therefore we should prepare our students to act in their best interest. Andrew Pass http://www.Pass-Ed.com/blogger.htmlBy Chris
October 17, 2006 2:47 PM | Link to this
All I can say is “Wolverines!”By Mary
October 17, 2006 8:15 AM | Link to this
Fighting back or not fighting back should both be taught as options with risks. Some specific tactics should be discussed and practiced. I like the idea of using a short school cheer and throwing books in unison at the perpetrator. I would imagine he would be quite startled. Fighting back can empower the victims and surprise the violent person. Funny how bullying and victims is a common theme in school violence. Now, I think some “experts” are recommending victims of bullies, rape, and child abduction fight back. Years ago, victims of bullying and rape were told to be passive. How, when, critical judgments and what kind of training is the key. Would such training also promote too much fear and anxiety in some students? Probably.