Essential education reporting across America

School safety

Police officers in uniform outside a school building, next to a tree.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Gun Violence and Schools
Shooter kills three children at Nashville private church school
The shooter, 28, was armed with rifles and was killed by police.
By Marta W. Aldrich, Laura Testino, and 1 more
 
A person holds up a white sign that says Solutions Not Suspensions in orange and black letters.
School safety School safety
Lawmakers across U.S. push for harsher school discipline as safety fears rise
The bills would make it easier for schools to remove disruptive students.
By Patrick Wall
 
momument circle in Indianapolis
From Chalkbeat Indiana Campaigns and elections
Where Indianapolis mayoral candidates stand on education issues: an election guide
The mayor has a significant impact on crime, the economy, and housing in Indianapolis — all of which affect the educators and students who go to school here. Here’s how the candidates plan to tackle these issues, and more.
By MJ Slaby
 
High school students dressed in red gather in front of the Colorado State Capitol. One sign emerges from the crowd reading “G(UN)SAFE Enough is Enough.” Downtown office buildings can be seen in the background.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Gun Violence and Schools
As Colorado reels from another school shooting, study finds 1 in 4 teens have quick access to guns
Healthy Kids Colorado survey finds that a quarter of youth say they could get access to a loaded gun within 24 hours. Most teen gun deaths are suicides.
By Markian Hawryluk
 
Police cars and ambulances are parked close together in front of Denver’s East High School.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Chalkbeat En Español
Policía regresa a escuelas de Denver
La decisión se produjo un día después del tiroteo contra dos administradores en la Denver East High School.
By Jason Gonzales and Erica Meltzer
 
Police cars and ambulances are parked close together in front of Denver’s East High School.
From Chalkbeat Colorado School safety
Denver board lifts ban on police on campus
The board decision comes after Superintendent Alex Marrero’s pledge to return police to campus. The shooting of two East High administrators shifted the debate on police in Denver schools.
By Jason Gonzales and Erica Meltzer
 
At least three police officers in uniform stand in a parking lot talking to two others. A white car is in the foreground.
School safety School safety
Denver schools are bringing back police. Other places in the U.S. already have.
“It makes sense that communities are really struggling following incidents like this — they are traumatic and scary,” said one advocate from a nonprofit that has called for the removal of police.
By Kalyn Belsha
 
East High School and the surrounding campus full of police vehicles is seen from a distance.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Gun Violence and Schools
Denver cancels classes Friday after East High shooting
Superintendent Alex Marrero said a day off from school would give students and staff time to process events.
By Erica Meltzer
 
Addison Goetz, 17, is embraced by her mother Jennifer as they leave Denver’s East High School after a shooting there on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Gun Violence and Schools
East High shooting prompts fear, frustration, and calls for action in Denver
Parents and students say they are numb and frustrated after the shooting of two deans at East High School. It was the third shooting this school year at or near Denver’s largest high school.
By Melanie Asmar and Erica Meltzer
 
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 Denver Public Schools
After East High shooting, Denver superintendent commits to return police to comprehensive high schools
“I can no longer stand on the sidelines,” Marrero wrote in a letter to the school board, which banned police from schools in 2020.
By Melanie Asmar
 
School police officers walk in the hallways of Lane Tech High School in Chicago.
From Chalkbeat Chicago School safety
Dozens of Chicago schools still have police on campus. Local communities will soon vote whether to keep them.
A push to remove police from Chicago schools intensified after the murder of George Floyd in 2020.
By Mauricio Peña
 
The outside of East High School. It is a stately brick building with lots of windows and a clocktower.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Chalkbeat En Español
Cumbre en la East High: los estudiantes buscan soluciones a la violencia con armas de fuego
Los panelistas en un foro de prevención de la violencia en la secundaria East High sugirieron que hubiese más servicios de salud mental para los estudiantes junto con leyes más estrictas de control de armas.
By Melanie Asmar
 
In a close-up of a student’s hands in math class, worksheets and a calculator are spread across the desk.
From Chalkbeat Detroit School safety
Southeastern High School reopens after two-month closure for flood damage
Students and staff returned March 15, but tile repairs continue in the hallways.
By Ethan Bakuli
 
A group of children ski across a snowy landscape.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Gun Violence and Schools
Social emotional learning hits the slopes after hoax swatting threats put students on edge
On three Wednesdays in a row, hoax swatting threats kept these Aspen students in their classrooms. On the fourth Wednesday, teachers called a ski day.
By Eleanor Bennett
 
Gov. Josh Shapiro in a blue suit and white shirt talks to a group of high school students in a classroom.
From Chalkbeat Philadelphia Gun Violence and Schools
Philadelphia students press governor on his school safety proposal to hire more police
During a high school visit, Gov. Josh Shapiro also discussed his plans to hire more teachers and increase education spending in his proposed budget.
By Dale Mezzacappa and Carly Sitrin
 
Members of the PASO class practice CPR and first aid during a session in July.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Healthy schools
Colorado bill would encourage, but not require, CPR training in high schools
Colorado is one of just 10 states that doesn’t require CPR training in high school.
By Helen Santoro
 
The back of a yellow school bus sits next to the back of a white police van.
From Chalkbeat New York School safety
School safety agent numbers dropped during the pandemic. NYC doesn’t plan to staff back up.
The move is a victory for advocates who have pushed to reduced police presence in schools, but it won mixed reactions from educators and union officials.
By Alex Zimmerman
 
Students dressed in red gather in front of the Colorado State Capitol. There’s a large crowd of young people. Classical columns rise before them. One sign held aloft reads “Luis Garcia #11.”
From Chalkbeat Colorado Chalkbeat En Español
Estudiantes de East High marchan contra la violencia armada tras la muerte de Luis García
Los estudiantes piden a los legisladores que hagan más para restringir el acceso a las armas.
By Erica Meltzer
 
People participate in a demonstration to seek age raise for AR-15 sales in Austin, Texas, the United States, Aug. 27, 2022.
From Chalkbeat Colorado First Person
I train future teachers. Gun violence has them on edge.
They ask themselves, ‘Would I be able to step in front of a gun for my students?’
By Deena Gumina
 
The outside of East High School. It is a stately brick building with lots of windows and a clocktower.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Gun Violence and Schools
East High students seek solutions to gun violence at summit
“We shouldn’t have to be here,” East Students Demand Action member Gracie Taub told the crowd. “Luis should be here.”
By Melanie Asmar
 
A logo bears the words “Memphis Shelby County Schools”
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Gun Violence and Schools
Memphis Shelby County Schools proposes $6.3 million in spending for security upgrades
A pair of contracts for new cameras, alarm systems, and wiring await board approval.
By Tonyaa Weathersbee
 
A man wearing a suit stands at a podium and speaks into a microphone.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee School safety
Tennessee governor’s safety bill threatens penalties for schools if they don’t lock entrances
State inspections found 527 unlocked doors so far this school year.
By Marta W. Aldrich
 
White buses with red strips near the top line up on a street in front of a brick building.
From Chalkbeat Philadelphia School safety
Asbestos closes Philadelphia high school, forcing students to another facility and sparking anger
The closure of Building 21 highlights ongoing safety and health problems with the district’s aging schools.
By Dale Mezzacappa
 
Students dressed in red gather in front of the Colorado State Capitol. There’s a large crowd of young people. Classical columns rise before them. One sign held aloft reads “Luis Garcia #11.”
From Chalkbeat Colorado Gun Violence and Schools
After Luis Garcia’s death, East High students call on lawmakers to do more to stop gun violence
Luis was the second student shot near East High this school year. Students say they’re angry, sad, and tired.
By Erica Meltzer
 
The outside of East High School. It is a stately brick building with lots of windows and a clocktower.
From Chalkbeat Colorado School safety
16-year-old Denver East High student shot outside the school has died, police said
Luis Garcia was shot on Feb. 13. No one has been charged with the crime.
By Melanie Asmar
 
school_water5.jpg
Healthy schools Healthy schools
Schools across the U.S. are struggling with lead in their drinking water. When will they get more help?
President Biden said federal funds will pay to replace lead pipes in hundreds of thousands of schools and child care centers. In the meantime, many are dealing with high lead levels now.
By Katheryn Houghton, Kaiser Health News
 
A security camera hangs in the corner of a room, as the silhouette of a student sits in the foreground.
From Chalkbeat Chicago School safety
Chicago Public Schools will add, upgrade security cameras in ‘bold’ investment over the next three years
The district said principals have asked for expanded camera coverage on their campuses.
By Mila Koumpilova
 
A Black man in a police uniform looks out of a school door that he’s holding slightly ajar. On the right side of the image, there’s colorful paper with labels attached that read: Empathy, Accountability, Dynamic Community, and Equity.
From Chalkbeat Colorado School safety
Gun violence is rising. Two leaders say Denver schools and police need a new relationship.
“This is getting away from an oppressive policing model to a more liberatory relationship-centered model among students and adults who happen to be police officers.”
By Melanie Asmar
 
A young woman enters her high school as a faculty member holds the door open for her.
From Chalkbeat New York School safety
A $43 million contract to lock school doors wins mixed reactions from educators
Concerns about school safety and possible shootings prompted the decision to lock school doors. Whether the policy will be effective remains a big question mark.
By Alex Zimmerman and Michael Elsen-Rooney
 
The curved facade of Brooklyn High School for Excellence and Equity in Canarsie. There is an NYPD van parked outside, as well as a standard silver SUV.
From Chalkbeat New York School safety
NYC principals to meet weekly with NYPD to address after-school violence
Schools Chancellor David Banks has been raising the alarm about the recent spate of killings and shootings involving young people, calling it a “state of emergency” that requires more intervention.
By Michael Elsen-Rooney and Amy Zimmer
 
More Stories
Icon-heart-donate
If you value Chalkbeat, consider making a donation
Chalkbeat is a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to providing the information families and educators need, but this kind of work isn’t possible without your help.
icon-events

Connect with your community

Find upcoming events

Events