TexasCHLforum.com

The other day I emailed my Texas State Board of Education Member, District 10, Tom Maynard, and asked:
Are Texas schools (pre thru 2nd grade) required to teach gun safety, Eddy Eagle program?
If not, why? The youngsters today need all the help they can get.
I know, it is sponsored by the dastardly NRA.
This program has saved lives in the past and will save more in the future if properly utilized.
In my own mind I think Texas schools should teach gun safety from Eddy Eagle to hunters safety by the sixth grade. The hunter safety could be taught with airsoft guns.

This is what I received in reply:
"Thank you for contacting the Texas Education Agency. Your message has been forwarded to me for a response. Gun safety is not a requirement of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for elementary school students. The State Board of Education has the responsibility for determining the TEKS.

To view the curriculum requirements for elementary school students please visit http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/rea ... ch=74&rl=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Take care and have a great day.

Barney Fudge
Statewide Coordinator for Health & Safety
Curriculum Division
Texas Education Agency
O: (512) 463-9581
F: (512) 463-8057
william.fudge@tea.state.tx.us "

I am a little concerned. Do you think, gun safety should be taught in Elementry School?

The only way that will ever happen is if the Legislature passes legislation requiring it. No way are so-called educators ever going to touch that land mine.

If it's not on the test, they don't need to know it. Gun safety isn't the first major life skill that's considered unnecessary.

Really, if I were sending my kids to a school (I'm not) and they were teaching firearms safety (they wouldn't), I might be a little concerned because it's something I wouldn't trust to just anyone. I'd rather be the one teaching my kids (or choosing an instructor for them), than taking the chance of someone else screwing it up. I guess it's sort of like sex ed -- you have to cover it somehow because some parents won't, but it'd be so much better if it could be left to individual parents.

Is that guy's name really Barney Fudge?

I can understand TEA's angle, they are so focused on teaching our children how to pass standardized tests that they are forgetting about teaching our children what they need to safely function and succeed in life, and firearms safety, especially Eddie Eagle, can prevent tragedies and ensure safety of our children.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

The public school system should focus on their mandate; reading, writing, 'rithmetic. Okay, science, history, government, CIVICS, arts and music. Throw in some language electives and you've got a good basic curriculum. I'm up in the air about Home Ec. and various shop classes that while useful, could be better taught in a vocational track school. Yes that means I believe that not all students should be in a college preparatory school.
Personal hygiene, sex ed, self esteem, empowerment, phys. ed. and all the other bull that have been imposed by unfunded federal or state mandates or are the responsibility of custodial parents and guardians, should be dispensed with. I'm afraid that for me, Eddie Eagle is one more distraction in the academic day that should be undertaken by parents or community groups.
ymmv