Report Indicates Emergency Plans at Nation's Schools Could Be Improved

According to a May 17, 2007 article from The Associated Press, emergency plans at many U.S. schools are not at the level officials would like to see. Research recently conducted by the congressional Government Accountability Office found that, even though the majority of school districts have some form of an emergency plan in place, those plans often are not sufficient. In order to receive grant funding from the federal Safe and Drug-free Schools and Communities program, school districts must certify for the U.S. Department of Education (ED) that they have developed emergency management plans. However, the quality of those plans are not currently monitored.

A May 17, 2007 press release provides the prepared testimony that Holly Kuzmich, ED deputy chief of staff, presented to the House Homeland Security Committee regarding ways to create safe learning environments in our nation's schools and college campuses.