Another Wake Up Call From The War On Terror: Will We Answer?

As is being reported at The Detroit News and other media, U.S. officials are now saying that there was no terror threat to schools that were linked to a computer disk found in Iraq. The FBI had been in communication with eight school districts around the country concerning a possible terrorist threat. The latest explanation is that an Iraqi educator was studying several U.S. school districts with the idea of using them as possible models for reform of the Iraqi educational system.

Considering all the buzz that this incident produced, it would be logical to assume that even in this post 9-11 era, the planning for our schools' protection from terrorism continues to be inadequate. Sadly, in last evening's debate, neither candidate mentioned the need for additional security in our schools.

Both the EdWonk and the TeachWonk are employed in fairly large school systems, and we can certify that there has been no training whatsoever to counteract any terror (or even criminal) threat to the children attending either school district. Our experiences could be thought of as typical in the Education Industry.

The Education Wonks urge each of our readers to telephone (or go in person) their child's school and ask the classroom teacher or what sort of security-related training she or he actually has received. The answer will probably cause concern.

The horrible terror attack on a Russian school recently demonstrated to the world the scope of shock and publicity that such an act will generate. And since the goal of all terrorists is shock and publicity, it is very possible that there could be some sort of terrorist attack on a U.S. school sometime in the future.

There are numerous individuals that are already saying, "We don't want to scare people," by the implementation of counter-terrorism planning/measures in our schools. They bleat, "We just can't risk frightening parents and staff." And they will tell anyone with no hesitation whatsoever, "That sort of thing doesn't happen here."

And should a terrorist attack on one (or more) of our schools, these will be the same people that will loudly lament, "Why wasn't something done, and who is responsible?"