NCTE Opposes Use of Federal Funds for Guns in Schools
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jenna Fournel, jfournel@ncte.org, 703-599-5749
Washington, DC: August 23, 2018—NCTE Executive Director Emily Kirkpatrick issued the following statement in response to reports that the Education Department is considering using funds appropriated under Title IV Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act to allow the purchase of guns and firearm training for teachers.
“The National Council of Teachers of English objects to the reported Education Department proposal to divert Title IV Part A funds away from essential efforts—such as digital literacy—for the use of arming teachers. A bipartisan majority of the United States Congress created Title IV Part A, as well as the entire ESSA law, to provide instruction and supports for students and teachers. Diverting funds away from literacy education is a direct contradiction of the intent of Congress.
We remain vigilant in protecting other teacher supports as well, such as Title II. While the administration is busy looking for alternate, unauthorized uses of federal money, teachers and families are having to purchase their own classroom libraries, supplies, and professional development.
Further, funding literacy supports instruction directly aimed at building communication skills—a fundamental component of peace, safety, and conflict resolution.”
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About NCTE
The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) is the nation’s most comprehensive literacy organization, supporting more than 25,000 teachers across the preK–college spectrum. Through the expertise of its members, NCTE has served at the forefront of every major improvement in the teaching and learning of English and the language arts since 1911. www.ncte.org