The Hill: Arming teachers - Bad for students, bad for spending

In an op-ed article for the Hill, UMD College of Education Assistant Professor of Education Policy and Economics David Blazar weighs in on the debate surrounding arming teachers and using federal dollars to fund the buying of guns for teachers. Dr. Blazar cites the multiple roles that teachers already fill and the limited funding of schools and school systems as reasons not to arm teachers, asserting that arming teachers is a “horrible idea” for students and spending.

“New efforts can and should be taken both by educators and the public at large to ensure that schools are safe spaces for students, teachers, and school leaders,” he wrote in the article. “However, asking our teachers to wield guns — aside from using federal dollars to pay for these weapons — would be more likely to detract from students’ educational experiences than to help make schools places for learning.”

Dr. Blazar is an assistant professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership. His research explores teacher labor markets and focuses on accountability policy, professional learning, and the organizational contexts of schools and districts.