TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) – Florida teachers could soon be required to learn how to respond to active shooters before they can step into their first classroom.
Lawmakers are considering the change in the upcoming legislative session, with teachers questioning whether that training should be required.
State Representative Dan Daley, D- Coral Springs, is proposing that future teachers get hands-on training on preventing tragedies before they get their certificates. The proposal expands a program that Indian River State College in South Florida has in place as part of classroom management courses.
“I’ve seen a lot of the training that’s being done. I think we should be doing some of it a lot better,” said Daley.
Current teachers across the state receive active shooter training throughout the school year under state law. But Daley said it’s important for teachers to get that training even sooner.
“If we can take another step forward and get folks as they’re coming into the profession to make sure training and what to do is ingrained in them,” Daley said.
However, Leon Classroom Teachers Association President Scott Mazur doesn’t think the measure will help attract teachers.
“In fact, it may have the opposite effect of people wanting to go into education if they have to go through that training in advance,” Mazur said.
He questions the need for a law like this, especially since teachers get training during the school year.
“Is this the primary focus we have to worry about, and if so, that means there’s a bigger issue with weapons and what could happen in our schools,” Mazur said.
Daley has tried to get this bill passed before, but it stalls in the Senate.
“It is where we are in the world today,” Daley said. “It’s a sad reality that that’s important and necessary for our teachers, but it is.”
Copyright 2025 WCTV. All rights reserved.