The U.S. Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona, stated that instead of focusing on book censorship, people should consider banning assault weapons.
In an interview where he discussed the challenges facing the U.S. education system, Cardona expressed his concerns about the attack on public education and specific curricula, which he believes is an effort to promote private schooling.
He spoke about the recent attacks on Black curriculum, which promotes the beauty of diversity and accurate historical facts. According to Cardona, he has never witnessed such attacks, and he sees this as an attempt to create division in education.
Ban on Assault Weapons
According to Reuters, rather than focus on book censorship, Cardona believes that a ban on assault weapons should be a priority. Although he didn't specify which group was responsible for attempting to ban specific school materials, there have been several controversies in U.S. schools regarding the instruction of race, identity, and sexuality, with Republican officials taking the lead.
Cardona stressed the significance of ensuring that every student has equal opportunities and safeguarding their ability to engage in sports, including members of the LGBTI community. He disclosed that the Department of Education had received a considerable amount of input on this issue and aimed to complete the regulation in time for the following academic year.
This call for a ban on assault weapons comes after another school shooting incident in Nashville, where a 28-year-old killed three children and three adults at a private Christian school.
CNN reported that the shooter had a history of emotional disorders and had legally purchased seven firearms that were hidden at home. This school shooting has prompted backlash and outrage from students, educators, parents, and community members who are affected every time there are school shootings, resulting in days of protest in Tennessee.
School Shootings in the U.S.
According to the Security Organization, the Naval Postgraduate School's Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS) published the K-12 School Shooting Database, which reveals that there have been a total of 118 instances of active shooter incidents in K-12 schools in the United States since 1999. These incidents involve perpetrators who target or randomly shoot victims on school campuses, resulting in fatalities or injuries.
Since 1999, the number of fatalities and injuries in K-12 school shootings has increased, with 392 people killed and 1,119 injured. The year 2020, which marked the beginning of the pandemic, saw the lowest number of K-12 school shooting fatalities and injuries in several years, with 77 people affected. However, in 2021, the figure more than doubled.
Risks and rewards of artificial intelligence
During the interview, Cardona was asked about the integration and use of artificial intelligence in the country's education system. While he acknowledged that it had risks and rewards, he warned about the risks and the need to provide professional development to educators across the country. He believes that they must calculate and communicate the risks of these AI tools to educators and students to maximize the benefits and also prevent cheating loopholes.
Additionally, the U.S. Secretary of Education also highlighted the need to protect student data and ensure that it is used ethically. He stated that the department is working on developing policies and guidelines to protect student data and ensure its ethical use.
Cardona believes that the focus should be on providing quality education for all students. He considers that the potential of artificial intelligence in education is exciting, but it is essential to calculate the risks and provide proper training to educators.
Furthermore, Cardona emphasized that the U.S. education system is facing many challenges, including attacks on specific curricula, but ensuring student safety should be a top priority.
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