As a concerned citizen deeply disturbed by the present state of our educational environment, I am moved to action. I bear witness to the devastation our children are experiencing - school shootings, suicides and various forms of abuse. Friends of mine are subjected to daily threats of violence, a reality that forces their school into frequent lockdowns. Unfortunately, this experience is not isolated. The prevalence of such incidents threatens to brand our nation as a place where schools are agents of harm rather than spaces for growth. Our children deserve the chance to focus on learning in an environment free from fear.

The uniquely dangerous situation necessitates swift and decisive action. I propose a temporary 5-year period of homeschooling across all schools in the USA. By changing the physical location of education, we could minimize these threats and give our children a much-needed reprieve from the daily anxiety they currently face. This is not a permanent approach, but a preventive measure for a society in desperate need of healing.

Between 2012 and 2016, more than 1 in every 5 suicides among children ages 5-17 occurred within the school context (American Journal of Public Health). Further alarming is the fact that the incidence of school shootings has increased exponentially. In 2018 alone, the US saw an average of one school shooting every 12 days (Center for Homeland Defense & Security). It is clear that something must change.

Redefining our approach to education for a period of time may allow for a critical reassessment of our current system and potentially create a safer, more conducive learning environment. It may also help to redefine the image of the United States, from a country where schools breed fear, to one where the safety and well-being of its students are prioritized.

Together, let's strive for a change that could shield our children, our most precious treasure, from fear and danger. Let us restore the pride and safety in our education system. Sign this petition, and let us together champion the proposal for a 5-year homeschooling period across all USA schools.