The October edition of the Department of Education's monthly TV show airing Tuesday, Oct. 21 spotlights what schools and communities can do to protect children in a segment entitled, "Keeping Your Child Safe at Home and in School: Crisis Planning and Emergency Response."

The program will feature interviews with department officials, school safety personnel and mental health professionals discussing the need for comprehensive crisis planning and effective approaches in today's environment.

A number of cable outlets across the nation will carry the program—many live—from 8-9 p.m., EDT. In Washington, the show will appear live on Channel 28, the D.C. Public Schools cable channel.

A complete listing of viewer options is posted at http://registerevent.ed.gov/. In addition, the program will be webcast at www.connectlive.com/events/ednews/.

Crisis and emergency planning have been top priorities for the Bush administration. In March, U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge unveiled a new section on the Education Department's Web site—www.ed.gov/emergencyplan—designed to be a one-stop shop to help school officials plan for any emergency, including natural disasters, violent incidents and terrorist acts.

In addition, Paige announced earlier this month that 134 school districts in 39 states will share approximately $38 million in grants to improve and strengthen emergency response and crisis management plans.

"While the majority of our schools are safe havens for our children, the unfortunate reality is that without warning, a school or district could be faced with a crisis," Secretary Paige said. "Crises aren't planned but having a plan can save lives, prevent serious injury and minimize property damage."

Tuesday's broadcast will address such issues as:

• How does the No Child Left Behind Act address school safety and what options are available for parents whose children attend dangerous schools?
• What does research say about effective crisis planning?
• What are the key areas of crisis management that all school crisis plans should address?
• What lessons from tragedies such as recent school shootings and the Washington, D.C., sniper case are transferable to communities for developing comprehensive response and recovery plans?
• How should school engage parents, the community, law enforcement, and local governments to develop effective crisis plans?
• Where can parents and school officials go to find help and resources on crisis management plans?

Among the guests will be Edward Clarke, director of school safety and security for the Montgomery County, Md., schools; and Fred Ellis, director of safety and security for the Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia. They will discuss lessons learned for schools across the country from last year's D.C. sniper case.

Also: William Modzeleski, associate deputy undersecretary for the office of safe and drug-free schools; James Kelly, chief of the school district police and Safe Schools Center in Palm Beach County, Fla.; Cathy Paine, special programs coordinator with the Springfield, Ore., schools; Yvonne Atteberry, a parent leader there; and Cathy Roper, a parent advocate with the Denver public schools.

Details about the "Education News Parents Can Use" TV series can be found at http://www.ed.gov/news/av/video/edtv/index.html.

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