Fire Drill Research Paper

On April 20, 1999, students Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold shook North America when they attacked Columbine High School. Thirteen people were killed and twenty-four others were injured, attracting attention from media outlets all over the world. Afterwards, the media increasingly covered violence in America’s schools; mainly violence in the form of school shootings. Panic swept the country, and debates had emerged questioning the safety of school children in America. Many people strongly agree that these recent events were the worst in decades, and education in the 1960’s and 70’s were much safer than now. However, such claims are contradicted with recent statistics, proving schools in North America are safer now than ever before. Ever since

More than seventy percent of schools in America conduct active drills, and these schools have a full plan in the case of an actual emergency. To begin, fire drills are lawed in all states and provinces. On average, every school must conduct twelve drills per year. According to the United States Fire Administration, the overall fire death rate has dropped to ten per million people in 2015. Additionally, the University of Georgetown has seen a clean record of no fire deaths nor injuries in their 2013 report. This number was only achieved in the 2013 year and was the lowest ever in the universities history. Next, 90 percent of schools in America have reported saying they have plans in the event of a shooting. In fact, some teachers have adopted the “fight” method of defense against a shooter. By sparing their life for the lives of many children, police believe this may be the only method of preventing a mass shooting when reinforcements are limited. Moreover, half of American schools now hire School Safety Officers. Many believe that nearby officers can build relationships with children, while conducting the drills. Surprisingly, cardiac arrest also claims many children; therefore, many local schools have adopted heart safety drills. Before the 2000s, schools barely had heart safety programs, until the tragic death of Kimberly Gillary flooded the news. On

When school violence peaked in 1990, the problem of school violence has reached levels that necessitated intervention on many levels, including governmental involvement. Alcoholism and drug abuse were the main factors to violence, due to their easy accessibility. By the same token, family history and social conflicts also contributors. Surprisingly, the Columbine shooters had social tensions. As a response, American schools had received funding under then Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act to prevent youth violence. Accordingly, violence prevention programs and mental health services for children have risen substantially, as well as the number of attending patients. As a result, the Bureau of Justice Statistics School Safety Report shows that victimization of minors in America has been steadily decreasing, albeit it has spiked recently. According to the report, the total victimization rate inside school declined 82 percent between 1992 and 2014, from 181 victimizations per 1000 students in 1992 to 33 victimizations per 1000 students in 2014. In 1992-1993, there were around 4.2 million victimizations but only 1.2 million in 2010-2011. Additionally, school homicides in 1992 and 1993 have reached a peak of 57 homicides, but in 2011 have decreased to 45. However, violent deaths fluctuated between the 40 deaths per year margin, although its lowest points