Education secretary asks for ways to make schools safer

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LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFNEWS) --  Airmen and family members who would like to offer suggestions for improving safety at college campuses and schools throughout the country are encouraged to submit comments by e-mail to safeschools@ed.gov.

U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings announced that she is seeking public comment in an effort to gather thoughts and suggestions from across the country.

"Nothing is more important to American parents than the safety of their children," said Secretary Spellings. "I invite all concerned Americans -- parents, educators, law enforcement officials and students -- to share their ideas about school safety. Together, we can strengthen our best practices, raise awareness of warning signs and help prevent tragedies."

Secretary Spellings is especially interested in thoughts concerning:

-- Ways in which technology can help communicate with students and school professionals before, during, and after a crisis

-- How various institutions involved in protecting students -- schools, colleges, law enforcement agencies, the medical and mental health community, and others -- can share critical information in a way that protects individual privacy without sacrificing public safety

-- The most effective programs and best practices for preventing school violence and managing crises at U.S. schools and college campuses

For more information about this initiative, visit www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/dialogue.html.

(Courtesy of Air Combat Command Public Affairs. Compiled from a U.S. Department of Education press release)