Education Secretary Rivera to Serve on National Safe Schools Steering Committee

Harrisburg, PA – Building upon the Wolf Administration’s commitment to safe schools and classrooms, Education Secretary Pedro A. Rivera is joining other states’ education officials on the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) newly formed School Safety Steering Committee.

“We need to work together with a holistic approach to keep our schools safe, so children and teachers can focus on learning in the classroom,” said Governor Tom Wolf. “Secretary Rivera’s service on the CCSSO steering committee will bring the Pennsylvania perspective to this national conversation on school safety”

“Not only does he bring decades of experience in classrooms and school buildings, he will share the work Pennsylvania’s Task Force has undertaken in communities across the commonwealth.”

Secretary Rivera is one of twelve members as part of a national effort to collaborate on best practices and innovative measures to work towards creating a safe and supportive learning environment for students.

“There is no one-size-fits-all approach to ensuring school safety, but as educators and leaders we need to take a comprehensive look at the measures schools can thoughtfully implement to improve the culture in their hallways, classrooms and athletic fields where everyone feels valued, and every student has their social and emotional needs met,” said Secretary Rivera.

The School Safety Steering Committee will determine what guidance or support CCSSO will offer to numerous states around school safety. In addition, the steering committee also will inform how CCSSO will continue to support states in efforts to prevent violence from ever taking place by fostering safe, supportive schools that address the emotional well-being of all children.

CCSSO is a nonpartisan, nationwide, nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education. Its mission is to create a more equitable education system for all children, and provides leadership, advocacy, and technical assistance on major educational issues.

Earlier this year, Governor Wolf launched the state School Safety Task Force that brings together government officials, statewide education organizations, law enforcement, community members, school officials to talk about ways to improve school safety and security.