Thread by @TexasTribune

1/ In response to school shootings, Texas lawmakers are proposing changing the state’s school marshal program to expand the number of armed teachers.

But some black students and parents fear those efforts. #txed #txlege bit.ly/2vxNXA4

2/ The marshal program trains school personnel to act as armed peace officers in the absence of law enforcement.

This #txlege, lawmakers filed a slew of bills to help more teachers carry firearms and not face lawsuits for taking “reasonable action.” bit.ly/2vxNXA4

3/ Ahmir Johnson worries it could have unintended consequences for students of color.

“We already get profiled based on the clothes we wear, how we look, our hair, what color our eyes are — and the main thing is the color of our skin."

bit.ly/2DGT9Gr

4/ Addison Savors, a Round Rock junior, said it would be harder to focus on schoolwork with armed teachers.

“I would be a little bit more cautious and keep my eyes open if I knew my teacher had a weapon on them,” Savors said. bit.ly/2vxNXA4

5/ There’s no data saying the program so far has disproportionately hurt students of color.

But lawmakers in others states with similar programs have pointed out that more guns on campus make students of color feel unsafe.

bit.ly/2vxNXA4

6/ State data shows black students are already disproportionately punished.

Black students made up 33% of out-of-school suspensions during the 2017-18 school year.

They're 13% of the student body population. bit.ly/2vxNXA4

7/ Courtney Robinson, a scholar whose research focuses on the school-to-prison pipeline, says “it’s terrifying to imagine what could happen.” #txlege bit.ly/2vxNXA4

8/ Sen. Bryan Hughes, a Texas Republican and the author of one the marshal bills, acknowledges concerns but says the program is a “reasonable step for school safety.”

“The school marshal programs exist to protect all students — regardless of their race.” bit.ly/2vxNXA4

9/9 Even if marshals received implicit bias training, Johnson said he would remain hesitant.

“I’m African American, so as soon as people see me they open up the book and just read me. That’s something I’m going to have to deal with my whole life.” bit.ly/2vxNXA4