Experts are referring to a “growing national phenomenon” of students attacking teachers and school administrators when discussing the grant’s purpose.
Texas State University has been awarded $1.3 million to assist in the training of schools across the state to address the issue of violence against teachers.
According to experts, there is a growing national phenomenon of students attacking teachers and school administrators, which is negatively impacting school climates and the ability to retain teachers. In response to this issue, a grant has been provided to address the problem.
The grant has been allocated to provide support for a three-year training program that will assist schools in effectively handling various scenarios. Additionally, it will educate them on creating policies to address instances of teacher victimization.
In January, Texas State will commence training educators all over Texas.
A part of the grant funding originates from the STOP School Violence Program of the U.S. Department of Justice, which is a component of the Mental Health and School Safety Bill introduced by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn. The Safer Communities Act, a bipartisan legislation passed in 2022, aims to combat mass shootings by allocating resources to mental health crisis intervention programs and enhancing school safety measures.
Sen. Cornyn expressed his gratitude for the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, emphasizing its focus on mental health, school safety, and the prevention of future tragedies. In a media release, he stated, “This law is providing schools in our state with the necessary resources to ensure the safety of students, staff, and teachers.”
The Texas School Safety Center at Texas State University, a renowned research center that acts as the central hub for school safety in the state, will be the recipient of the grant.
According to Director Kathy Martinez-Prather, the center is dedicated to providing comprehensive school safety initiatives and essential guidance to schools across the state. It offers training programs to schools on a wide range of crucial topics, including assessing behavioral threats, emergency operations, mental health, bullying prevention, and drug use prevention.