Bill Overview
Title: PROTECTS Act
Description: This bill requires the President to report to Congress within 30 days on the efforts of executive agencies to make school security improvements to protect children in public elementary and secondary schools.
Sponsors: Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]
Target Audience
Population: People in or associated with public elementary and secondary schools
Estimated Size: 11000000
- The bill focuses on school security improvements, implying that it is directed towards public elementary and secondary schools.
- The primary beneficiaries of improved school security would be students enrolled in these schools, as their safety and wellbeing are directly concerned.
- Public school populations vary significantly from one region to another, but they encompass a significant percentage of the population who are of school age.
- The PROTECTS Act also indirectly affects teachers and staff in public schools as their working environment would be impacted by security measures.
Reasoning
- Given the budget constraints, not all public schools might experience significant improvements immediately, especially in the first couple of years.
- The policy would likely prioritize schools in areas with higher perceived threats, thus affecting regions differently.
- Parents, students, and staff in public schools would directly feel the impact of such policies through changes in their perceptions of safety.
- The indirect impact on parents might be minimal in terms of Cantril Well-being as the policy is student-focused but might influence their peace of mind.
- School staff might experience changes in work environment perception based on security policy implementations, influencing job satisfaction. It's crucial to account for these indirect effects.
Simulated Interviews
High School Student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 16 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's really important to feel safe at school. Reports about the efforts being made would help me know more about security measures and feel safer.
- I hope the policy leads to real changes and not just reports. The school should implement actual safety improvements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Public High School Teacher (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a teacher, knowing that there are active efforts to improve school security makes me feel relieved.
- Reports are good, but I’d like to see actionable changes. Safety training for staff would be excellent.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Parent (Houston, TX)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am somewhat concerned about my children's safety at school.
- If the policy leads to real improvements in school security, I’ll feel more at ease leaving my kids at school.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
School Security Officer (Miami, FL)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any policy that brings more focus and resources to school security is a positive step.
- However, we need to ensure that the policy translates into real changes and not just reports on current efforts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Middle School Principal (New York, NY)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Knowing there is a push for better security and constant updates is reassuring but it must lead to tangible improvements.
- We need better security equipment and training for staff.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Elementary School Student (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 11 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I just want to feel safe at school and play with my friends without worrying.
- Reports about what’s being done is nice but having more guards or safe places is better.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
School District Administrator (Denver, CO)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could improve the allocation of resources to the areas that need it most if implemented properly.
- Continuous reporting to Congress can ensure accountability, but let's see the actual improvements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
High School Senior (Boston, MA)
Age: 17 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It’s good to know that there are efforts being reported, but I hope the measures are effective.
- School should be a place where I feel completely safe, and right now, it doesn’t always feel that way.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
School Resource Officer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A structured report on security efforts is a move in the right direction, but we need more hands-on training and equipment.
- Collaborating with local police and having clear procedures in place would be ideal.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Public School Counselor (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improvements in school security positively impact students' mental health indirectly, that's a good policy step.
- I would like to see mental health and security efforts integrated.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 2: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 3: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 5: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 10: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 100: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Key Considerations
- The reliance on existing data being available reduces the additional burden on agencies.
- Coordination across multiple executive agencies could increase workload temporarily.
- Potential need for additional clarity on data sharing and protection regulations related to school safety.