San Diego Schools Limit Military Recruiters!
December 14, 2010
On November 30th, history was made in San Diego. Called one of the biggest anti-military victories, the San Diego school board passed a policy to regulate and restrict recruiting in the districts many schools.
San Diego, a heavily militarized city, began developing this policy after students at San Diego High Schools noticed, and complained, that the information about post-graduation career and college options WAS limited. Students from working class families said they were targeted by military recruiters at their schools, in the lunch room, special assemblies, and classes. The students were led to believe that the “military was their only option,” as college recruiters were few and far between.
The policy was developed in the last year by students and by consultation with Project YANO. Education Not Arms Coalition, which includes students, parents, teachers, and community groups, waged the campaign. Surprisingly, the proposed policy was adopted verbatim by the school district.
This policy affects military recruiters, and also affects civilian employers, colleges, and trade schools.
The policy stipulates these conditions:
- no use of the ASVAB unless its under release option 8 (i.e., not for
recruiting)
- only two recruiting visits/year
- no soliciting of personal information directly from students
- no disruption of classes or interference with students
- recruiters must remain at a designated spot and not approach
students
- no weapons displays
- equal access for organizations offering alternative information on
military careers
- reporting of policy violations to the school board
- possible banning of recruiting organizations after two violations
The passing of this policy ensures that students have balanced access to information about education and career options available to them so that they can make an informed decision. In addition, it provides recruiter conduct guidelines to protect the students.
To read the entire policy, click here:
To download key documents, and watch video of the two school board hearings that resulted in a 4-1 favorable vote, click here: www.projectyano.org/educationnotarms/
