reform the Dept. of Education to ensure good physical and psychological development in public schools alongside academic

Public education's sole focus on the academic progress of children often creates a high stress environment unsuitable for proper psychological development. Academics are just one of the many components that comprise a healthy and productive citizen. Separated from the oversight of university institutions, the Department of Education should also focus on the physical and psychological well-being of children. Given that obesity and depression render a society less productive, their proper prevention and treatment deserves attention like any academic deficiency. The recent gun violence has exposed deeply-rooted instabilities at the societal level; beyond the issue gun control, a healthier mental state of the nation will work to prevent further atrocities.