Countdown to Biden v. Trump Debate: Key Education Policies School Safety Contractors Must Watch

With less than two weeks until the first presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle, anticipation is building for the event hosted by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Dana Bash in Atlanta on June 27. This debate will mark the first in-person showdown between President Joe Biden and his predecessor, former President Donald Trump.

As the debate unfolds, particularly when the topic of education arises, school safety contractors should pay close attention to the following areas, which will have significant implications for their strategies:

Biden Administration:

1. Holistic Safety Approach: President Biden’s administration advocates for a comprehensive approach to school safety, emphasizing physical security, mental health support, social-emotional learning, and community engagement initiatives.
2. Prevention and Intervention: A strong focus on early intervention and prevention includes the establishment of threat assessment teams, crisis intervention training for school staff, and increased funding for mental health services in schools.
3. Addressing Root Causes: The administration prioritizes addressing societal factors contributing to violence, such as poverty, inequality, and access to firearms, to promote safer learning environments.
4. Support for Restorative Justice: Promoting restorative justice practices, the Biden administration aims to build positive relationships, address harm, and prevent future conflicts through dialogue and mediation.
5. Funds Allocation Through Specific Programs: Programs targeting mental health services, security enhancements, and community engagement initiatives receive funding allocations from the administration.

Trump Administration:

1. Focus on Physical Security: Former President Trump’s administration prioritized physical security measures in schools, including metal detectors, armed guards, and fortification of school buildings.
2. Armed Personnel Support: There was strong support for the presence of armed personnel, with proposals to arm teachers and staff as a deterrent against potential threats.
3. Limited Emphasis on Mental Health: While not entirely neglected, mental health services were not prioritized to the same extent as physical security measures during the Trump administration.
4. Rollback of Obama-Era Policies: Certain Obama-era policies addressing disparities in school discipline were rolled back, raising concerns about their impact on marginalized students.
5. Flexible Funding Allocation: A Trump presidency would allow more flexibility in funding allocations, leaving decisions to individual schools or districts.

Shifts in Priorities:The priorities of both administrations may have evolved since their previous terms, reflecting current events, new research, and public sentiment. Contractors should be aware of these potential shifts:

1. Pandemic Response: The ongoing impact of COVID-19 on education may lead to increased funding for health-related safety measures, remote learning capabilities, and infrastructure upgrades. However, schools that heavily invested in teachers during the pandemic now face a potential cliff with looming teacher cuts due to budget constraints.
2. Technological Integration: Advances in technology could influence both administrations to invest more heavily in tech-based security solutions, such as surveillance systems, emergency communication tools, and cybersecurity.
3. Equity and Inclusion: Heightened awareness of social justice issues might push for policies ensuring that school safety measures do not disproportionately affect marginalized communities.
4. Climate-Related Preparedness: Growing concerns about climate change and natural disasters could result in policies aimed at making schools more resilient and better prepared for such events.

Tips for Working with Either Administration:

Biden:

1. Position your proposal as a multifaceted solution addressing various domains of school safety, demonstrating your capacity to deliver integrated and effective services.
2. Highlight your track record in implementing evidence-based practices that align with proactive measures to prevent violence and mitigate potential threats.
3. Tailor your proposal to maximize the impact of federal funding by targeting high-need districts and addressing the unique challenges faced by vulnerable student populations.

Trump:

1. Position your proposal as a comprehensive security solution aligning with the administration’s focus on enhancing physical safety measures within schools, emphasizing the effectiveness and scalability of your services.
2. Emphasize the importance of professional development and ongoing support for armed personnel, positioning your services as essential for maintaining a safe learning environment.
3. Position your proposal as a cost-effective solution allowing schools to leverage available funding resources efficiently, demonstrating your ability to deliver value and maximize the impact of funding allocations.

Governments Discuss School Security:

In the last 90 days, school safety utilizing innovative technology has been mentioned in over 85 government meetings. Discussions by the Michigan House of Representatives have focused on the unique approaches needed by rural schools during incidents, the Maryland Senate Energy and Education Committee has discussed the value of technology in school safety, and the Newburyport School Committee has reviewed their current work with technology vendors and its impact on school safety.

Cloverleaf AI:

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