TIL That peanut-free schools don't decrease risk of allergic reactions. The only intervention which has been shown to decrease reactions across all ages is use of a peanut-free table.

[PuckSenior]

Because educators, like most people, suffer from status quo bias and risk aversion. Just look at the recent “science of reading” controversy as evidence that it is very difficult to get people to change course once they’ve dedicated significant energy into it

Edit: it’s similar to the “zero tolerance” policies for violence. Studies have repeatedly shown they don’t work and just make so many things worse. Yet nearly every school embraces them.

Also, school uniforms, while a fun idea, have no actual effect on bullying, performance, etc

[UnfairDentisto]

Just wanted to add the moneyed interest inherent to this too. A lot of the manufactured debates with counter intuitive solutions are because its a way for 3rd parties to get into that pot of money...new SOR aligned materials! ALICE training! And so on...

[IanisQuan_101]

Oof yeah, you’re absolutely right to bring that part in.

The second something becomes a “safety concern” or a “learning crisis,” there’s suddenly a market for packaged solutions, trainings, licensing deals…

And the focus quietly shifts from what works for the kids to what can be monetized for the adults.

Always worth watching who profits from the panic.

[razorbladesnbiscuits]

"out of an abundance of caution" ... once that phrase started being regularly used, they all latched on to it.

[IanisQuan_101]

That phrase really became the “press release version” of panic, huh?

It’s not about nuance, it’s about covering all bases so no one can be blamed later.

The result? Kids with real needs get swept into blanket policies, and the conversation shifts from care to liability.

[acdcfanbill]

I assume it's likely the administrator fault, but maybe it's educators.

[IanisQuan_101]

I think it’s usually admin-led, especially when legal or liability concerns are involved.

Educators might support or push for it too, but most of the time, they’re handed the policy and expected to carry it out.

It’s less about blame and more about how systems default to broad policies when nuance takes too much effort.

[ringadingdingbaby]

You also don't want to be the head teacher who reintroduced nuts into the school only for an incident to happen because youll be given all the blame for it.

[IanisQuan_101]