Secretary Rod Paige recently announced the elevation of the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools to be a free-standing principal office, headed by a new Deputy Under Secretary. All activities related to the creation of safe schools, crisis response, alcohol and drug prevention, health and well being of students, and building strong character and citizenship will be located in this office. This office will also take the leadership role in the Department of Education's Homeland Security efforts.
Developing a Comprehensive Safe Schools and Citizenship Strategy: Currently, programs related to the creation of safe schools, crisis response, alcohol and drug prevention, health and well being of students, and building strong character are located in several offices. Ensuring that all schools are safe, free of alcohol and drugs, and teach students good citizenship and character is essential if we are to ensure that no child is left behind. Folding all programs that deal with safety, health and citizenship into one office will enable us to better respond to the critical needs of schools in these areas and also enable us to develop a broad-based comprehensive strategy.
Addressing Emerging Needs: School shootings in recent years and the terrorist attacks of 9/11 sent a clear message that schools need to be better prepared to deal with an entirely new class of emerging threats. Schools must be ready to deal with everything from natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornados, and earthquakes, to shooting, accidents and terrorist attacks. One of the primary goals of the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools will be to assist schools in developing plans to deal with the wide variety of threats which they face and which if not addressed could impede teaching and learning.
Identifying and Promoting Promising Prevention Practices: No Child Left Behind requires the use of programs and practices that are based upon science. The new law recognizes that in the past too many schools used their federal resources to support programs and practices in drug abuse and violence prevention that were not effective. The Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools will identify those programs and practices that have proven to be effective and will disseminate information on effectiveness through a variety of means to educators and other persons working with youth.
Coordinating with other Federal Agencies: The Education Department doesn't have sole responsibility for ensuring the safety and well being of students and schools. This responsibility is shared by the states and local communities, as well as by a variety of federal agencies. This includes HHS, Justice, Treasury, Transportation, and the White House.
The Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools will be in a position to coordinate the multitude of the Education Department's activities with those of the other agencies
