INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – During active shooter training, some Indiana teachers were “shot execution style” with “projectiles” that caused welts and blood, according to the Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA).
The ISTA addressed their concerns about these drills in a series of tweets on Wednesday as members of the association testified in front of the Senate Education Committee.
“The teachers were terrified, but were told not to tell anyone what happened. Teachers waiting outside that heard the screaming were brought into the room four at a time, and the shooting process was repeated,” the ISTA said.
Members are requesting an amendment to House Bill 1004. The bill focuses on school safety and would provide school-based mental health services or social emotional wellness services to students. It also requires every school to conduct at least one active shooter drill each year.
The ISTA says they support the bill as “a positive step in addressing root causes of these school-based tragedies.” But they want an amendment added to it that would place reasonable limits on these drills.
“No one in education takes these drills lightly. The risk of harming someone far outweighs whatever added realism one is trying to convey here,” the ISTA said.
No one in education takes these drills lightly. The risk of harming someone far outweighs whatever added realism one is trying to convey here. ISTA requests an amendment in bill so that more reasonable limits are placed on these drills.
— Indiana State Teachers Association (@ISTAmembers) March 20, 2019