Is the National Guard a solution to school violence?

Is a military presence needed to regain control of America’s schools? Adobe Stock Photo bt F. Chris Curran, University of Florida Every now and then, an elected official will suggest bringing in the National Guard to deal with violence that seems out of control. A city council member in Washington suggested doing so in 2023 to combat the city’s rising violence. So did a Pennsylvania representative concerned about violence in Philadelphia in 2022. In February 2024, officials in Massachusetts requested the National Guard be deployed to a more unexpected location – to a high school. Brockton High School has been struggling with student fights, drug use and disrespect toward staff. One school staffer said she was trampled by a crowd rushing to see a fight. Many teachers call in sick to work each day, leaving the school understaffed. As a researcher who studies school discipline, I know Brockton’s situation is part of a national trend of principals and teachers who have been struggling to deal with perceived increases in student misbehavior since the pandemic. A review of how the National Guard has been deployed to schools in the past shows the guard can provide service to schools in cases of...