For advocates of major reform of the U.S. education system, they now have a mutual ally in former Education Secretary Arne Duncan.

Last week, Obama’s first education secretary embraced a call for “America’s 50 million school parents to simply pull their kids out of school until we have better gun laws.”

This is brilliant, and tragically necessary.
What if no children went to school until gun laws changed to keep them safe?
My family is all in if we can do this at scale.
Parents, will you please join us? https://t.co/Yo4wsFuJI5

— Arne Duncan (@arneduncan) May 18, 2018

Former Duncan aide Peter Cunningham didn’t specify what “better” laws he thinks are necessary.

Nevertheless, Duncan jumped on board.

“This is brilliant,” Duncan tweeted, “and tragically necessary.

“What is no children went to school until gun laws changed to keep them safe? My family is all in if we can do this at scale. Parents, will you please join us?”

Such a boycott would undoubtedly explode the homeschooling movement, not to mention cause parents to seriously consider schools that are protecting their students and employees with firearms.

The news story cited by Cunningham reports the 17-year-old accused killer “hid a shotgun and .38-caliber revolver under a trench coat, walked into the school around 7:30 a.m. and began firing” at a Santa Fe, Texas high school.

Eight students and two teachers were killed.

Santa Fe schools are closed through Tuesday, according to a statement from the district.

“The Santa Fe Independent School District is committed to ensuring that all of our students and staff receive the care and support they need during this tragic time.”All schools in Santa Fe ISD will be closed on Monday, May 21st, and Tuesday, May 22, 2018. We will update you as soon as a plan for returning to school is finalized.”We know that our students and staff are going to need counseling to help them grieve. They also are going to need an outlet to share their fears and concerns. We will have additional school counselors and other support resources available to our SFISD students and staff. We will send additional information soon. Parents, please do not hesitate to ask for help if you notice a change in your child’s typical demeanor.”In the meantime, please continue to pray for our SFISD community as we grieve.”