School attendance is compulsory in the United States. Families are required by law to send their children away from the safety of their own homes. But as recent tragedies have shown, these same laws cannot guarantee the security of our children at school. The events of September 11th prompted the creation of unprecedented government agencies and policies to protect our homeland, especially those of us who choose to travel by air. The events of Sandy Hook and Columbine and too many others should be considered no less of a turning point for how this country protects its youth, who do not choose to enter such unprotected schools.
Focusing as much attention on the safety and security of our school children as we do on our air travel is the only answer. We need an ESA as much as the TSA.