Bill Meant To Allow Students To Defend Themselves Passes
JACKSON, Tenn. – According to House Bill 860, Tennessee students who get into a fight trying to defend themselves will not be punished if they believe another student may cause them imminent danger. “I think its important that we teach our children if they do need to defend themselves do it in away that doesn’t escalate the situation always seek out an authority figure first,” said parent, Ashley Wheat. Jackson-Madison County School System has a similar procedure. Administrators use the common sense factor when dealing with school fights. School principals investigate each fight to determine who and what started it. “Especially in a classroom, we don’t give our children a license to escalate the situation and turn into something that’s more dangerous then it could be or should be,” said Wheat. Wheat said he teaches students martial arts and said it is important to teach kids what to do if things become physical. “Give the child the skills they need to handle it without actually having to harm the other child in the safest way so they can wait on a teacher or whomever to take care of situation.” said Wheat.
