MANDATORY PUPIL TRAUMA “SCREENINGS?”
California’s first-ever Surgeon General is hoping to require mandatory “screening” for childhood trauma before a student can enroll in school. Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, who was appointed to the post in January by Gov. Gavin Newsom, made the comments in a recent interview with NBC. Such screenings would result in care plans for students exhibiting signs of “toxic stress,” which she believes shows up in physical ailments or poor impulse control. “Instead of reacting harshly and punitively, every educator is trained in recognizing these things. Instead of suspending and expelling or saying, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ we say, ‘What happened to you?'” she explained, adding, “This involves public education, routine screening to enable early detection and early intervention, and cross-sector coordinated care.” Stephen Frank, Senior Contributing Editor with California Political Review argues such a policy would undermine parental rights. “We need a movement now to stop this threat to families and children. As I have said before, government believes your children belong to the State—not the parents. Who is to decide what a trauma is—government?”
SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 3:17; 1 John 4:1.
PRAY: Mandatory childhood screenings fail to gain traction.
ACTION: Write a postcard to your state legislator: “Dear (Rep. or Sen. [Name]), I am vehemently opposed to childhood trauma screenings as a condition for school enrollment and urge you to oppose any such proposals.”