By , ,
Published December 24, 2015
The Department of Education has put out the following statements today regarding a 1988 incident involving Kevin Jennings, who was named Assistant Deputy Secretary or Safe and Drug-Free Schools in July. The incident is detailed in his book, "One Teacher In 10," and details how as a young teacher in Concord, MA, he did not go to school authorities after an underage student, "Brewster", told him that he had been involved with an older man. Thie is what Jennings wrote in his book, One Teacher in 10, "Brewster squirmed at the prospect of telling, and we sat silently for a short while. On a hunch, I suddenly asked 'What's his name?' Brewster's eyes widened briefly, and then out spilled a story about his involvement with an older man he had met in Boston. I listened, sympathized, and offered advice. He left my office with a smile on his face that I would see every time I saw him on the campus for the next two years, until he graduated."
STATEMENT FROM KEVIN JENNINGS
"Twenty-one years later I can see how I should have handled this situation differently. I should have asked for more information and consulted legal or medical authorities. Teachers back then had little training and guidance about this kind of thing. All teachers should have a basic level of preparedness. I would like to see the office of Safe & Drug Free Schools play a bigger role in helping to prepare teachers. "
STATEMENT FROM DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SECRETARY ARNE DUNCAN
"Kevin Jennings has dedicated his professional career to promoting school safety. He is uniquely qualified for his job and I'm honored to have him on our team. "
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dept-of-education-statements-on-1988-incident-involving-safe-school-czar-kevin-jennings