NATIONAL SUMMIT ON SCHOOL SAFETY AND VIOLENCE

WHEREAS, Goal 6 of our National Education Goals, endorsed by the president of the U.S., the governors of the 50 states and the Congress, states, "By the year 2000, every school in America will be free from drugs and violence and will offer a disciplined environment conducive to learning"; and

WHEREAS, in school systems across the country, incidents of violence are increasing in both frequency and intensity; and

WHEREAS, the primary mission of American schools is to teach all students the knowledge and skills needed to become full participants in a democratic society; and

WHEREAS, all students in our schools have a right to positive and productive safe and secure learning environments without disruptions:

RESOLVED, that AFT call for schools to adopt codes of conduct for student behavior that enforce school policies under which there is zero tolerance for drugs, weapons, crimes and violence on school campuses; and

RESOLVED, that AFT call for a National Summit on School Safety and Discipline to adopt a National Safe Schools Covenant for every school in America to sign that advocates a policy of zero tolerance for drugs, weapons, crimes and violence on school campuses; and

RESOLVED, that AFT sponsor a School Safety and Violence Conference for local leaders on the elements of the Safe Schools Covenant.