Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/274063
H eat h e r Wr i g h t, Pau l a S i l v a and M i c h ae l Ke h oe w ait for a shooter behind a bookcase during a training. FEATURE P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y S C O T T B U S C H M A N The chances of a school shooting taking place in a U.S. high school in any given year 1 in 21,000 Fortunately, this eerily realistic scenario with plastic pellets is only a drill. But it's still terrifying. "How many of you were shot?" asks instructor Al Bahn of the ALICE Training Institute when participants regroup. Several hands go up from individuals, many of whom are still smarting from the pellets. "Now let's practice some skills that could bring the death toll down," says Bahn. "In a real incident, I can't guarantee that everyone would survive. But I'm giving you a tool box of tactics and information about how to select the best tactic at the right moment." CTA members and administrators attending the train- ing say they plan on teaching their colleagues these tactics and strategies upon their return. "You need to be prepared for these situations to keep kids safe," says Tulelake Basin Teachers Association (TBTA) member Tricia Brown. "Things have happened that have changed the way we think. We need to be pre- pared for these situations and practice what to do." 26 M A R C H 2 0 1 4 Educator 03 Mar 2014 v2.0 int.indd 26 3/6/14 10:52 AM