The three R's now being taught in at least one Arkansas public school is reading, 'riting, and return fire.

Courtesy of The Star:  

When classes at Clarksville High School resume in August assistant principle Cheyne Dougan will be among the more than 20 teachers, administrators and other employees in the school district carrying concealed weapons. 

After a school shooting in Connecticut last December that left 20 children and six teachers dead, the idea of arming schoolhouses against gunmen was hotly debated across the country. 

The National Rifle Association declared it the best response to serious threats. But even in the most conservative states, most proposals faltered in the face of resistance from educators or warnings from insurance companies that schools would face higher premiums. 

Making use of a little-known Arkansas law that allows licensed, armed security guards on campus, Dougan and other teachers at the school will be considered guards. 

Why anybody would take school safety advice from a lobby that represents gun manufacturers is beyond me. You know if they had solicited advice from a lobby representing guard dog companies, every child would now be provided a German shepherd or rottweiler.

Which, by the way, would be infinitely more effective than giving old Mrs. Lundquist down the hall a Beretta, with the instructions "Don't shoot any of the kids."

However not EVERYBODY in Arkansas embraces the Wyuatt Earp  teaching model.

State officials are not blocking Clarksville’s plan, but Arkansas Education Commissioner Tom Kimbrell is opposed to the idea of arming teachers and staff. He prefers to hire law enforcement officers as school resource officers. 

There are other dissenters, too. Donna Morey, former president of the Arkansas Education Association, called the idea of arming teachers “awful.” The risk of a student accidentally getting shot or obtaining a gun outweighs any benefits, she said.

Gee ya think?

Well I foresee a definite upsurge in purchases of these things.

Oh yeah, that should keep the kids safe while their teachers open fire on every unfamiliar face that walks down the school hallway.

And THESE are the people we are trusting to educate our children.

I hate to say this but if your children are attending this school, or one that follows suit, I totally support your choice of placing them in a private school, or, and I can't believe I am saying this, homeschooling them.

After all being raised in ignorance beats being shot in the head by your educator any day.