I'm not sure I understand your question lil, but yes, there are private schools as well as public schools. Of course the private schools are not 'governed' by the public school corporation even though they work in cooperation on some things such as private school x will use the public school bus system (at a price I'm sure)
Wyoming senate wants to introduce gun-safety courses into 5th grade curriculum
- Thread starter GlassOnion
- Start date
I don't think I like this idea. Teaching a mob of students familiarity with guns (how to safely hold a gun, how to operate the safety, etc.) doesn't seem like a good idea to me. Frankly, I don't think that most people in the United States have ever or will ever fire a gun in their lifetimes. Given that, why should gun safety skills be funded by the taxpayers and taught in the public school system?
But besides that, I tend to agree with Renee. I think this has the potential to be a complete can of worms. I trust the public school system with many things, but firearm education is not one of them. I think it should be a parent's decision how familiar their children are with firearms.
IMO, the public school gun education should be like this: "This is a gun. It can potentially hurt and kill people. DON'T TOUCH IT." Anything more than that is unnecessary.
But besides that, I tend to agree with Renee. I think this has the potential to be a complete can of worms. I trust the public school system with many things, but firearm education is not one of them. I think it should be a parent's decision how familiar their children are with firearms.
IMO, the public school gun education should be like this: "This is a gun. It can potentially hurt and kill people. DON'T TOUCH IT." Anything more than that is unnecessary.
Personally I'd like to see Eddie Eagle style gun safety taught to kindergarten aged students, the same way they teach basic overall safety like, "Look both ways before crossing the street!" and "If you ever see a syringe run and get a grownup, DON'T TOUCH!" etc. We've shown his video to Aurelia several times, and she has the whole mantra down.
Part of the danger of accidental shooting with kids is it's a taboo subject. If you don't talk about it, they're going to be curious. Curiosity leads children to do unsafe things, especially if they don't know any better.
ETA: The same exact arguments are made for and against sex ed. One camp says the schools should butt out and let parents handle it. But then there's a huge camp of parents that doesn't handle it, or their of idea of education is "it'll fall off if you play with it". So their kids end up going out and getting pregnant or STDs because they don't know any better.
Part of the danger of accidental shooting with kids is it's a taboo subject. If you don't talk about it, they're going to be curious. Curiosity leads children to do unsafe things, especially if they don't know any better.
ETA: The same exact arguments are made for and against sex ed. One camp says the schools should butt out and let parents handle it. But then there's a huge camp of parents that doesn't handle it, or their of idea of education is "it'll fall off if you play with it". So their kids end up going out and getting pregnant or STDs because they don't know any better.
I agree with Romy. the biggest danger comes from keeping it taboo and yeah parents should be the ones teaching this. unfortunately too many parents have guns in the home and abide by the "don't talk about it, don't touch it" policy which just leads to problems.
I mean they aren't planning on giving out guns with completion of the course. so why not teach a basic safety? I mean I don't know if I would put one teacher with a bunch of students with guns but the basic "this is a gun, this is how it works, this is how you put the safety on, this is how you DON'T end up shooting yourself or someone else, respect the instrument and follow the rules and everything with be hunky dory" what could that hurt? teach more kids how to at least be safe about it or at least the basic safety rules
like sex ed... I don't know if it actually prevents any pregnancies but I doubt that it causes MORE accidents.
I think teaching kids a healthy respect for a deadly weapon that makes them awfully curious would be a good thing for society (as long as the information is correct)
not like they are going to teach them to be sharpshooters. just a healthy respect.
but it has to be the right teacher and I do have my doubts that those are readily available anymore... at least for something like this
I mean they aren't planning on giving out guns with completion of the course. so why not teach a basic safety? I mean I don't know if I would put one teacher with a bunch of students with guns but the basic "this is a gun, this is how it works, this is how you put the safety on, this is how you DON'T end up shooting yourself or someone else, respect the instrument and follow the rules and everything with be hunky dory" what could that hurt? teach more kids how to at least be safe about it or at least the basic safety rules
like sex ed... I don't know if it actually prevents any pregnancies but I doubt that it causes MORE accidents.
I think teaching kids a healthy respect for a deadly weapon that makes them awfully curious would be a good thing for society (as long as the information is correct)
not like they are going to teach them to be sharpshooters. just a healthy respect.
but it has to be the right teacher and I do have my doubts that those are readily available anymore... at least for something like this
If there is anything that kids need to learn, whether or not they are ever going to own a gun, and regardless of the political views of their family, is that "the gun is always loaded." Even a kid from a non-gun owning family may at some point (perhaps at a friend's house) encounter a gun, and it is vitally important, to prevent accidents, that everyone know that one little fact. I'd like them to know how to put a safety on too, honestly.
No, I don't think the school should teach kids how to use a gun, but all to often, kids and guns are a taboo subject, as is pointed out. Yet one of the continual things we hear about guns is the tragic reports of kids who shot themselves or a friend because they treated a gun like a toy. And since many families don't talk about guns (either because they don't think about them at all or because they hate them so much its like some families talking about sex), I have no problem with a segment addressing the bare basics of gun safety. As I said before, things like "this is a safety, this is how you put it on" "the gun is always loaded, and the safety is always off, even if you just put it on" and "a gun is not a toy, and you should never touch one without permission, and an adult supervising, etc."
Now, if they were actually teaching my kid to use a gun, yeah, I'd object, because I think that's something the family needs to decide. I wouldn't mind a kid of mine using a gun, but I'll pick who teaches them, thanks. However, if this is rural Wyoming, it may be that no parents object.
P.S. You'd probably just hire a teacher for this segment . . . say a certified gun safety instructor. I have trouble imagining that you could screw up such basic rules too much.
P.P.S. Note, however, that I am a fanatic for the principle of "the gun is always loaded and the safety off" and think its right up there with basic life skills as "Never eat at a place called Mom's, never play cards with a guy named Doc, and NEVER sleep with anyone crazier than yourself."
No, I don't think the school should teach kids how to use a gun, but all to often, kids and guns are a taboo subject, as is pointed out. Yet one of the continual things we hear about guns is the tragic reports of kids who shot themselves or a friend because they treated a gun like a toy. And since many families don't talk about guns (either because they don't think about them at all or because they hate them so much its like some families talking about sex), I have no problem with a segment addressing the bare basics of gun safety. As I said before, things like "this is a safety, this is how you put it on" "the gun is always loaded, and the safety is always off, even if you just put it on" and "a gun is not a toy, and you should never touch one without permission, and an adult supervising, etc."
Now, if they were actually teaching my kid to use a gun, yeah, I'd object, because I think that's something the family needs to decide. I wouldn't mind a kid of mine using a gun, but I'll pick who teaches them, thanks. However, if this is rural Wyoming, it may be that no parents object.
P.S. You'd probably just hire a teacher for this segment . . . say a certified gun safety instructor. I have trouble imagining that you could screw up such basic rules too much.
P.P.S. Note, however, that I am a fanatic for the principle of "the gun is always loaded and the safety off" and think its right up there with basic life skills as "Never eat at a place called Mom's, never play cards with a guy named Doc, and NEVER sleep with anyone crazier than yourself."
Because the ability to own a gun is in our constitution?
I agree. Abstinence-only sex education was a rousing success, after all.
Yes to the former, no to the latter. What if the parents don't own a gun, or don't know what the heck they're talking about?
Good idea. We had college professors from the local community college come in to teach some of our AP and dual-credit classes, so I don't see why getting a gun safety instructor (and I'd be willing to bet most towns have one or two) would be hard to do. They'd already have the background check and all that done too.
It's proposed as an elective, not mandatory, so I don't think that would be an issue. Just have the parents sign a waiver if the kid's trying to sign up without consent.
I agree. Abstinence-only sex education was a rousing success, after all.
Yes to the former, no to the latter. What if the parents don't own a gun, or don't know what the heck they're talking about?
Good idea. We had college professors from the local community college come in to teach some of our AP and dual-credit classes, so I don't see why getting a gun safety instructor (and I'd be willing to bet most towns have one or two) would be hard to do. They'd already have the background check and all that done too.
It's proposed as an elective, not mandatory, so I don't think that would be an issue. Just have the parents sign a waiver if the kid's trying to sign up without consent.
Teaching them they have the right doesn't mean we have to teach them details of the ability. The public schools around here, at least, don't even teach kids how to use voting machines. I would rather there be more focus on that than more in-depth gun safety.
That's also why I'm against public schools teaching gun safety. Public schools royally screwed up sex ed. Why would I trust them teaching my children about firearms?
ETA: Also, food for thought. If a gun safety curriculum were added, it would not necessarily be one designed only by gun safety professionals. Any proposed curriculum would have to be approved by a Board of Education. The members of this board may not even know one end of a gun from the other, but they will have the power to not only approve the course, but amend or add things as they see fit.
Hmm. That, I don't know. My parents never had guns, but then again, I personally never had the desire or curiosity to learn about them until I was an adult. I still don't know if teaching about guns in schools is the answer, though.
I'm not against firearms. Heck, I keep a 12-gage shotgun on my nightstand. But I don't trust a school system that teaches abstinence-only in sex ed, "Intelligent Design" in science classes, and butchers and censors classic literature, to teach my children about how to handle deadly weapons. I'd rather have them learn from other, more trusted, venues.
That's also why I'm against public schools teaching gun safety. Public schools royally screwed up sex ed. Why would I trust them teaching my children about firearms?
ETA: Also, food for thought. If a gun safety curriculum were added, it would not necessarily be one designed only by gun safety professionals. Any proposed curriculum would have to be approved by a Board of Education. The members of this board may not even know one end of a gun from the other, but they will have the power to not only approve the course, but amend or add things as they see fit.
Hmm. That, I don't know. My parents never had guns, but then again, I personally never had the desire or curiosity to learn about them until I was an adult. I still don't know if teaching about guns in schools is the answer, though.
I'm not against firearms. Heck, I keep a 12-gage shotgun on my nightstand. But I don't trust a school system that teaches abstinence-only in sex ed, "Intelligent Design" in science classes, and butchers and censors classic literature, to teach my children about how to handle deadly weapons. I'd rather have them learn from other, more trusted, venues.
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I think you are reading it the wrong way.
I'm saying what you are saying. The parents SHOULD be the ones teaching this... in a perfect world. Unfortunately most don't, won't or can't. All that does is ensure that these kids are going to grow up to be adults that don't know one thing about guns or more importantly gun safety. Even just the very basic
I'm saying what you are saying. The parents SHOULD be the ones teaching this... in a perfect world. Unfortunately most don't, won't or can't. All that does is ensure that these kids are going to grow up to be adults that don't know one thing about guns or more importantly gun safety. Even just the very basic
Voting machines don't have the capacity to cause immediate bodily harm if misused, like a car or a firearm does. That's why we have classes to teach people how to use them correctly.
Why do you say they screwed it up? In my school they taught us how conception occurs, showed us a bunch of videos on fetal development, the birth process, and taught everyone about the spectrum of STDs you can catch. How you can and can't catch them, and the different options for preventing pregnancy and STD transmission. That's screwed up? It's more comprehensive, accurate, and in depth than most kids get at home.
This is how curriculum design works in the US. Consultants are hired to write the curriculum. There are whole companies devoted to this, my last boss was an educational consultant for developing standardized tests that actually tested kids on what they were being taught. The consulting company has a vast pool of experts they draw on to write the curriculum. They also have childhood development consultants to make sure it's age appropriate, and others who make sure the different parts of the curriculum fit into the overall big plan. The superintendents get to pick which curriculum they want to introduce, or hire consultants to write specialized curriculum, or veto parts that don't fit, but the actual people writing it are highly educated in their field of study, not just some school administrator.
The teacher that taught our firearm safety class was certified to teach hunter safety through the state, and firearm safety through the NRA. Both have very specific curriculum written up for both children and adults. The NRA even has classroom materials with firearm safety workbooks and things.
In my experience, and maybe I just live in a more idealistic part of the country, but I've never seen or worked at a school where that happens. Maybe it is common in some areas. I got the sense it was a weird thing that made the news because it's weird.
Why do you say they screwed it up? In my school they taught us how conception occurs, showed us a bunch of videos on fetal development, the birth process, and taught everyone about the spectrum of STDs you can catch. How you can and can't catch them, and the different options for preventing pregnancy and STD transmission. That's screwed up? It's more comprehensive, accurate, and in depth than most kids get at home.
This is how curriculum design works in the US. Consultants are hired to write the curriculum. There are whole companies devoted to this, my last boss was an educational consultant for developing standardized tests that actually tested kids on what they were being taught. The consulting company has a vast pool of experts they draw on to write the curriculum. They also have childhood development consultants to make sure it's age appropriate, and others who make sure the different parts of the curriculum fit into the overall big plan. The superintendents get to pick which curriculum they want to introduce, or hire consultants to write specialized curriculum, or veto parts that don't fit, but the actual people writing it are highly educated in their field of study, not just some school administrator.
The teacher that taught our firearm safety class was certified to teach hunter safety through the state, and firearm safety through the NRA. Both have very specific curriculum written up for both children and adults. The NRA even has classroom materials with firearm safety workbooks and things.
In my experience, and maybe I just live in a more idealistic part of the country, but I've never seen or worked at a school where that happens. Maybe it is common in some areas. I got the sense it was a weird thing that made the news because it's weird.
Romy, I live in Texas. I'm afraid to say that I disagree with the Texas educational system about many things.
In terms of sex ed, they teach an abstinence-only method. They don't even mention contraceptives. Yes, the show you all about the different diseases and such that you can get, pregnancy, the male/female reproductive systems, etc. But instead of measures like condoms and such, they simply tell kids, "Don't have sex."
And here's where Texas changed school textbooks. The state is a major buyer of textbooks, and as such are able influence printing companies into publishing what *they* want. For example, the school board added a segment emphasizing the need for "taking personal responsibility for life choices" that lead to common teen problems including suicide and eating disorders. Because everyone knows that suicide and bulemia are personal life choices, right?
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/13/education/13texas.html
Texas OKs school textbook changes - U.S. news - Life - msnbc.com
And where they inserted a loophole that allowed intelligent design to be taught along with evolution in science classes:
Texas board comes down on 2 sides of creationism debate - CNN
So, no. I don't trust them with gun control courses. In most things, I'm sure the board is content to let consultants advise them on what to do. But the school board consists of elected officials. I believe that the more public and controversial the subject, the more likely they are to try and get their opinions in, whether or not they have any knowledge about what they're talking about. It's more likely to get them noticed.
Yup. I'm certainly considering homeschooling.
In terms of sex ed, they teach an abstinence-only method. They don't even mention contraceptives. Yes, the show you all about the different diseases and such that you can get, pregnancy, the male/female reproductive systems, etc. But instead of measures like condoms and such, they simply tell kids, "Don't have sex."
And here's where Texas changed school textbooks. The state is a major buyer of textbooks, and as such are able influence printing companies into publishing what *they* want. For example, the school board added a segment emphasizing the need for "taking personal responsibility for life choices" that lead to common teen problems including suicide and eating disorders. Because everyone knows that suicide and bulemia are personal life choices, right?
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/13/education/13texas.html
Texas OKs school textbook changes - U.S. news - Life - msnbc.com
And where they inserted a loophole that allowed intelligent design to be taught along with evolution in science classes:
Texas board comes down on 2 sides of creationism debate - CNN
So, no. I don't trust them with gun control courses. In most things, I'm sure the board is content to let consultants advise them on what to do. But the school board consists of elected officials. I believe that the more public and controversial the subject, the more likely they are to try and get their opinions in, whether or not they have any knowledge about what they're talking about. It's more likely to get them noticed.
Yup. I'm certainly considering homeschooling.
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Feh, if there's one thing I think Texas can get right, it's guns.
I think you may have missed my sarcasm. I was implying that abstinance only sex education does not work, in the same light that teaching kids:
would not work. The kids would still be curious, still touch it, and still get shot or end up shooting someone else. Which works for sex too.
I think you may have missed my sarcasm. I was implying that abstinance only sex education does not work, in the same light that teaching kids:
would not work. The kids would still be curious, still touch it, and still get shot or end up shooting someone else. Which works for sex too.
Our district had high school rifle teams (I shot varsity ). The guns were stored in campus in a locked room, with the bolts in a separate locked case in a separate locked room. The coach and the janitor (who was the assistant coach) had keys to the guns. Only the coach had keys to the bolts.
Anyway, it was awesome that in over 30 years of having a rifle team in the district we were the only sport with zero injuries on record. Ever. We didn't even have an ant bite. There were over 40 kids on each team in both high schools.
Vs. the football team, where one of the kids my freshman year shattered his femur the very first game of the season. D'oh.
). The guns were stored in campus in a locked room, with the bolts in a separate locked case in a separate locked room. The coach and the janitor (who was the assistant coach) had keys to the guns. Only the coach had keys to the bolts. Anyway, it was awesome that in over 30 years of having a rifle team in the district we were the only sport with zero injuries on record. Ever. We didn't even have an ant bite. There were over 40 kids on each team in both high schools.
Vs. the football team, where one of the kids my freshman year shattered his femur the very first game of the season. D'oh.
Our district had high school rifle teams (I shot varsity ). The guns were stored in campus in a locked room, with the bolts in a separate locked case in a separate locked room. The coach and the janitor (who was the assistant coach) had keys to the guns. Only the coach had keys to the bolts.
Anyway, it was awesome that in over 30 years of having a rifle team in the district we were the only sport with zero injuries on record. Ever. We didn't even have an ant bite. There were over 40 kids on each team in both high schools.
). The guns were stored in campus in a locked room, with the bolts in a separate locked case in a separate locked room. The coach and the janitor (who was the assistant coach) had keys to the guns. Only the coach had keys to the bolts. Anyway, it was awesome that in over 30 years of having a rifle team in the district we were the only sport with zero injuries on record. Ever. We didn't even have an ant bite. There were over 40 kids on each team in both high schools.