The State Superintendent of Schools for Maryland is among 12 state education executives joining a newly formed national committee working towards creating safe and supportive school environments for all students.
The School Safety Steering Committee, created by the Council of Chief State School Officers, puts state education chiefs in the lead of identifying the most promising practices to combat the "far too frequent incidents of school violence," the CCSSO said in a statement.
“Our priority, and the priority of chiefs across the country, is to provide students with a high-quality, equitable education, but none of that is possible if our students and educators do not feel safe and supported in their classrooms,” said CCSSO Executive Director Carissa Moffat Miller. “By coming together, sharing lessons learned, and prioritizing this issue, state chiefs are taking the lead to tackle this issue collectively and help bring about the change our students and educators deserve.”
The School Safety Steering Committee will discover and share state-based policies on a number of school safety related issues, such as the security of buildings, mental health and counseling services, and addressing students' personal and emotional needs. The group will also work with partners at the national level.
“Student safety is of paramount concern to all of us," Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Karen Salmon said in a statement. "The safety of our children is our core value as a society and the foundation for learning in our schools.”
