2.15.18
Suggested lead:
Washington state lawmakers hope a new bill can help schools spot and deal with
troubled students before a tragedy occurs.
Dan Frizzell has more.
Wrap (:62 total):
In the wake of yet another school shooting, there’s increased interest in a bill
introduced by a school counselor who also serves as a state representative.
Sponsored by Lillian Ortiz-Self, a Democrat from Mukilteo, the bill aims
to strengthen the roles of counselors, psychologists, and social workers in
public schools. These professionals
are trained to recognize danger signs and work with students and their families.
Problem is, according to Ortiz-Self, these positions are stretched thin
and often forced to spend more time on paperwork and other duties than the work
they’ve chosen. She says they’re also too busy to spend time collaborating and
sharing notes, which can allow problems to slip through the cracks.
ORTIZ-SELF: “Our
kids are in school seven to eight hours a day and they’re hurting, and they
don’t leave their hurt at the door. They work in the door with that and we have
to have the tools at our disposal to be able to meet that need, and that’s what
I hope this bill will help us get closer to.” [:14]
The bill was OK’d by the House last week, a few days before
the Valentine’s Day shooting in Parkland, Florida, and now awaits action in the
Senate. In Olympia, I’m Dan
Frizzell.