New Report Finds Michigan Schools Lack Disaster Plans

Now that school is officially in full swing, some of you parents may be happy to learn that a recent study shows that more than half of the states, including Michigan, are not required to meet certain standards to protect children in the event of a major emergency.

According to a new report by the folks at Save the Children, the State of Michigan is not required by law to have plans put in place to safeguard those children attending K-12 schools from possible hazards such as school shootings, tornados and other natural disasters.

"Children are among the most vulnerable in an emergency," says Jeanne-Aimee De Marrais, Save the Children's senior director for U.S. emergencies. "Parents assume their children go to school or child care and they are protected, but the events of the past year showed the emergency plans in place are not enough."

In order to meet the minimum safety requirements, states must have plans of attack for the following: evacuation and relocation; family reunification; children with special needs; and multiple hazards in schools.

Safety strategies are the responsibility of the local boards of education. And while 40 percent of all school districts claim to have updated disaster plans, a whopping 70 percent report still being involved in modernizing procedures.