For Immediate Release
December 16, 2004
New State Board of Education pledges support for Blagojevich
ban on violent video games
Policy to address ban in schools
Springfield, Ill. –State Superintendent of Education
Randy Dunn called on Illinois school districts to adopt policies
banning violent video and sexually explicit video games from
schools and pledged the Illinois State Board of Education’s
(ISBE) support for Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s call to ban
the sale of violent and sexually explicit video games to children
under the age of 18. In his weekly bulletin to schools, Dunn
encouraged districts to make parents aware of a new website
the Governor has developed, www.SafeGamesIllinois.org.
Dunn said that the State Board would be working to ensure
that no children are exposed to any such games in school.
Dunn called on districts to investigate the issue, and report
back to the State Board on whether or not violent video games
are being played in their school.
“These dangerous games don’t belong in our schools,”
said Dunn. “Educators around the state have done a great
job of making sure that the technology in our schools supports
learning and is age-appropriate for kids. We need to do everything
we can to support that good work, and to make sure that everybody
is participating in it.”
Dunn called on districts to pledge to ensure that no violent
video games are being played in schools, and announced the
agency will work to develop a model policy that school districts
can adopt.
“The more information our schools and parents can have,
the easier it will be for use to ensure that young people
are not exposed to inappropriate materials.” said Dunn.
Dunn said the model policy will center on banning violent
video games on school property, including access to such games
on the Internet.
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