Essential education reporting across America

Gun Violence and Schools

An outdoor shot of several people bending over to plant flowers in a grassy area
From Chalkbeat Philadelphia Gun Violence and Schools
On a grim anniversary, Roxborough High remembers a young victim of gun violence
Last school year, 199 Philadelphia students were victims of gun violence, and 33 died.
By Dale Mezzacappa
 
CO_09012023_McAuliffe_MelanieAsmar_02.jpg
From Chalkbeat Colorado School safety
Fired McAuliffe principal Kurt Dennis sues Denver Public Schools, alleging retaliation
Dennis claims DPS fired him in retaliation for speaking to the media about safety concerns and then publicly disparaged him.
By Melanie Asmar
 
A man in a suit stands at a podium in front of several school safety posters
From Chalkbeat Philadelphia Philadelphia Gun Violence
Philadelphia to use drones, weapons screening, more adults on school routes to make students safer
Philadelphia’s school safety chief said getting more students into out-of-school activities can also help keep them out of trouble.
By Carly Sitrin
 
Women hold up signs of protest in a legislative chamber filled with people.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Gun Violence and Schools
Tennessee’s special session on public safety ends with little action on guns
Gov. Bill Lee lauds extra $100 million for school safety, mental health, and more.
By Marta W. Aldrich
 
Three men wearing uniforms escort a woman from a crowded room.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Gun Violence and Schools
Bills to let Tennessee teachers and citizens carry guns in schools advance in legislature
Senate leaders signal they may block both proposals.
By Marta W. Aldrich
 
A line of people hold hands and bow their heads around a stone building.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Gun Violence and Schools
Tennessee legislature will avoid gun control in special session prompted by mass school shooting
Governor’s proclamation and new House rules limit subjects and debate.
By Marta W. Aldrich
 
A little girl stands behind a red and white sign that says, “We can end gun violence.”
From Chalkbeat Chicago First Person
Community violence is traumatizing my students. Here’s how I help them cope.
A new study lays bare the realities of gun violence in Chicago.
By LaToya Winton
 
a girl in shorts overalls and a white t-shirt climbs up a bright yellow slide
From Chalkbeat Philadelphia Gun Violence and Schools
Philadelphia school’s new playground gives families reason to rejoice amid safety fears
The number of schools with elementary-age children that have play equipment has risen in recent years, the district said.
By Dale Mezzacappa
 
A man in a business suit speaks at a podium with the U.S. flag in the background.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee School safety
It’s official: Tennessee governor calls lawmakers back to address guns, mental health after Nashville school shooting
Safe firearm storage, school safety policies, and stalking offenses are also on the table
By Marta W. Aldrich
 
At least three police officers in uniform stand in a parking lot talking to two others. A white car is in the foreground.
From Chalkbeat Colorado School safety
Tickets and arrests didn’t go up when SROs reintroduced to Denver schools, police data shows
But tickets and arrests were lower overall after SROs were removed.
By Melanie Asmar
 
A group of people sit around tables that form a U. A screen at the front of the room shows a person’s face.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Gun Violence and Schools
What did the Denver school board discuss during a closed-door meeting after the East shooting?
For months, Denver fought to keep the meeting private. Here’s what the recording shows.
By Melanie Asmar
 
Denver Superintendent Alex Marrero, left, speaks at a podium. Denver school board members, including Board President Xóchitl “Sochi” Gaytán in a red blazer, are standing to the right. The Denver Public Schools logo is visible behind them.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Gun Violence and Schools
Denver school board votes to release recording of closed-door meeting about police
A coalition of media organizations including Chalkbeat sued Denver Public Schools to release the recording.
By Melanie Asmar
 
The Denver school board sits around a table in a room at Denver Public Schools headquarters.
From Chalkbeat Colorado School safety
Denver school board to vote on whether to release recording of closed-door meeting about return of police
The recording is the subject of an ongoing lawsuit filed by a coalition of media organizations, including Chalkbeat.
By Melanie Asmar
 
A photo of two empty seats for Chicago’s school board members on shared dais. In front of the seats is the table part of the dais. Behind the seats is a gray, matte, and square sign. In the middle of the sign is a circle with a hand holding a torch inside. Above the circle is the words “Board of Education,” curved around the circle. Below is the circle is the words “City of Chicago,” also curved. Wrapping around the words in a half circle is a laurel.
From Chalkbeat Chicago Politics & Policy
New appointees to Chicago’s Board of Education take office, marking the city’s last fully appointed board
As board members introduced themselves, some noted how they’ve shifted from being vocal critics of the system to positions of power.
By Reema Amin
 
Two police officers stand outside Denver’s East High School as students walk in the background.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Chalkbeat En Español
Mi estudiante compartió un poema sobre su temor a la violencia con armas de fuego. Más tarde ese día, le dispararon.
Me alegra que los agentes de seguridad armados regresen a la escuela, Andy Bucher escribe.
By Andy Bucher
 
A group of people stand outside a middle school holding homemade signs.
From Chalkbeat Colorado School safety
Firing of McAuliffe principal is having a chilling effect, Denver educators say
The principals union has filed a grievance, while current and former DPS employees say the firing of McAuliffe principal Kurt Dennis sends a bad message about dissent.
By Melanie Asmar
 
A group of men in suits and one in police dress uniform speak at a press conference. They are outside with a podium and microphones set up in front of them. East High School is visible behind them.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Chalkbeat En Español
Agentes de seguridad armados permanecerán en 13 escuelas de Denver según el plan final de seguridad
También se examinarán las prácticas actuales de disciplina estudiantil.
By Melanie Asmar
 
A handwritten lawn sign that says “Stop Gun Violence.”
From Chalkbeat Colorado First Person
My student shared a poem about fearing gun violence. Later that day, he was shot.
It was a painful semester at Denver’s East High School. I’m glad SROs are back on campus.
By Andy Bucher
 
Two police officers stand outside Denver’s East High School as students walk in the background.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Chalkbeat En Español
7 preguntas para el nuevo jefe de seguridad de las Escuelas Públicas de Denver, Greg Cazzell
Lee lo que Greg Cazzell dijo sobre la policía en las escuelas, los perros detectores de drogas y mucho más.
By Melanie Asmar
 
Seven signs against gun violence are affixed to a white board at Williamsburg Charter High School, including bright letters reading, “Call to Action.”
From Chalkbeat New York Gun Violence and Schools
‘It awakened a part of us’: How NYC students are turning the trauma of gun violence into action
“This is the world that we live in,” one Brooklyn student said. “This is reality. So what can we do now to help?”
By Julian Shen-Berro
 
A group of men in suits and one in police dress uniform speak at a press conference. They are outside with a podium and microphones set up in front of them. East High School is visible behind them.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Gun Violence and Schools
SROs to stay at 13 Denver campuses, armed officers to help with weapons searches under safety plan
In a shift from current practice, armed DPS safety patrol officers will help with weapons searches under Marrero’s plan released Friday.
By Melanie Asmar
 
A man with glasses and an Afro style haircut stands with his hand in the air holding a piece of paper.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Politics & Policy
The ‘Tennessee 3’ created a historic teachable moment. Will schools be allowed to teach it?
‘We definitely have noticed that a silencing is happening in our schools,’ said one student.
By Marta W. Aldrich and Laura Testino
 
Denver school board members Carrie Olson, center, sits next to member Auon’tai Anderson at a table with laptops on them at school board meeting.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Gun Violence and Schools
Split Denver school board will keep police on campuses
Superintendent Alex Marrero will create a memorandum of understanding with Denver police governing the presence and role of school resource officers.
By Melanie Asmar
 
Two police officers stand outside Denver’s East High School as students walk in the background.
From Chalkbeat Colorado School safety
7 questions for Denver Public Schools’ new safety chief, Greg Cazzell
What is Denver schools’ new safety chief’s opinion on SROs? What approaches would he use to keep weapons out of schools? Read his answers to those questions and more.
By Melanie Asmar
 
Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas stands at a podium in the auditorium where the Denver school board holds public comment. You can see audience members seated behind him.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Politics & Policy
Raw emotions, shouting, and prayers as Denver school board debates police in schools
The board is weighing whether to bring school resource officers back to Denver school on a long-term basis.
By Melanie Asmar
 
Denver Superintendent Alex Marrero, left, speaks at a podium. Denver school board members, including Board President Xóchitl “Sochi” Gaytán in a red blazer, are standing to the right. The Denver Public Schools logo is visible behind them.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Gun Violence and Schools
Denver board splits on competing school policing proposals
Superintendent Alex Marrero had asked the board to make a decision before he finalizes a new school safety plan.
By Erica Meltzer
 
Police cars and ambulances are parked close together in front of Denver’s East High School.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Gun Violence and Schools
Denver Public Schools hires security chief after 6-month lapse
Greg Cazzell has worked 8 years as Aurora Public Schools security chief and 22 years on the Glendale police force.
By Erica Meltzer
 
Two police officers stand outside Denver’s East High School as students walk in the background.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Gun Violence and Schools
With safety plan in the works, Denver school board weighs competing police proposals
One proposal calls for training community resource officers who would respond only to emergencies and threats. Another would give Superintendent Alex Marrero discretion to station police inside schools.
By Erica Meltzer
 
A high school student lays a bouquet of flowers outside of Denver’s East High School.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Denver Public Schools
Police on campus: Denver schools’ new draft safety plan asks the board to decide
Superintendent Alex Marrero previously suggested schools should decide on SROs. Now he wants the school board to set policy.
By Melanie Asmar and Erica Meltzer
 
a man in a blue jacket and red cap wipes his eye while talking at a microphone next to a woman in a white suit.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Chalkbeat En Español
Papá de Luis García: Si ese día hubiese habido policías en la East High, ‘quizás mi hijo estaría todavía con nosotros’
La familia está planeando una demanda por homicidio culposo contra las Escuelas Públicas de Denver.
By Melanie Asmar
 
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