Last updated 4 months ago. Our resources are updated regularly but please keep in mind that links, programs, policies, and contact information do change.
Federal Resources
SchoolSafety.gov: A Central Hub
SchoolSafety.gov is a comprehensive website created through a collaborative interagency effort by the federal government. This platform serves as a one-stop access point for actionable recommendations aimed at creating safe learning environments.
SchoolSafety.gov categorizes its resources by topic, allowing users to find information relevant to their specific needs. Topics include Emergency Planning, School Climate, Targeted Violence, Threat Assessment and Reporting, Bullying and Cyberbullying, Child Exploitation, Cybersecurity, Infectious Diseases, and Mental Health.
Resources are available in various formats: Guidance documents, Training programs, Fact Sheets, Checklists, Tools, Programs, Reports, Surveys, Videos, and Webinars.
The “Tools to Get Started” section provides direct links to essential resources such as the Grants Finder Tool, State Search Tool, Resource Search, Safety Readiness Tool, and Communications Center.
Department of Education Initiatives
Beyond SchoolSafety.gov, the Department of Education offers several key initiatives and web pages dedicated to specific aspects of school safety.
The Safe School Environments page serves as a gateway to various federal programs and highlights the role of technical assistance centers.
Among these centers is the Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance Center (REMS), which provides support for developing comprehensive emergency management plans.
The Safe Supportive Learning Environments Technical Assistance Center (NCSSLE) focuses on fostering positive school climates and implementing strategies for violence prevention.
Other significant centers include the Center to Improve Social and Emotional Learning and School Safety Technical Assistance Center, the Center on Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, and the Title IV Part A Student Success and Academic Enrichment Technical Assistance Center.
The School Safety and Security page acts as another central point for accessing resources on preventing youth substance misuse, campus security, mental health needs, and online safety.
The Office of Safe and Supportive Schools (OSSS) plays a crucial role in administering policies, grant programs, and technical assistance centers aimed at creating safe and healthy school communities.
Data and Statistics
Reliable data and statistics are essential for understanding trends in school crime and safety. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) serves as the primary federal authority for collecting and analyzing educational data in the United States.
The School Crime and Safety section on the NCES website offers a diverse array of indicators and data points that illuminate the dimensions of school safety. This section provides access to critical data on Violent Deaths, Nonfatal Student and Teacher Victimization, School Environment characteristics, Fights, Weapons, Illegal Substances, Fear and Avoidance behaviors, Discipline practices, and Campus Crime.
The NCES relies on key data collection programs such as the School Survey on Crime & Safety (SSOCS) and the School Crime Supplement (SCS) to the National Crime Victimization Survey.
A valuable resource is the Report on Indicators of School Crime and Safety, a collaborative annual publication produced between the NCES and the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). This comprehensive report synthesizes key findings from multiple statistical data sources.
Key Findings from Recent Reports
- The rate of nonfatal criminal victimization for students ages 12–18 at school decreased from 52 to 22 victimizations per 1,000 students between 2012 and 2022.
- The percentage of students ages 12–18 who reported being bullied during school was lower in 2021–22 (19 percent) compared to 2010–11 (28 percent).
- Lower percentages of public school teachers reported being threatened with injury by a student in 2020–21 (6 percent) than in 2011–12 (10 percent).
- The percentage of students in grades 9–12 who reported having been in a physical fight on school property was lower in 2021 (6 percent) than in 2011 (12 percent).
Mental Health and Well-being Resources
National Association of School Psychologists
The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) offers extensive evidence-based resources in student mental health, crisis prevention, and intervention strategies.
NASP’s Mental and Behavioral Health Resource library provides practical handouts for parents and teachers with up-to-date information and strategies for addressing mental health challenges.
NASP has developed the widely recognized PREPaRE crisis prevention and intervention training curriculum, designed to equip school personnel with the knowledge and skills necessary to establish and serve on school safety and crisis response teams.
The core principles of the PREPaRE model emphasize a structured series of activities: Prevent and prepare for psychological trauma; Reaffirm physical health and perceptions of security; Evaluate psychological trauma risk; Provide interventions; Respond to psychological needs; Examine the effectiveness of crisis prevention and intervention.
NASP has articulated comprehensive school safety policy recommendations, which advocate for increased access to mental health services and essential supports within schools.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides valuable information and resources aimed at fostering safe school environments, with a focus on violence prevention and mental health promotion.
The CDC’s Healthy Schools website offers evidence-based strategies for school leaders to cultivate supportive environments. These strategies emphasize strengthening students’ social and emotional learning, improving school connectedness, and promoting student well-being.
The CDC provides a comprehensive approach to youth violence prevention, outlining strategies for parents, families, communities, and schools. Resources on preventing bullying promote bystander intervention as a key element in prevention efforts.
For mental health, the CDC provides resources specifically for schools, including an Action Guide for School and District Leaders. This guide outlines six strategies for promoting mental health: teaching coping and social skills, creating a positive school environment, increasing access to mental health supports, engaging families, supporting staff well-being, and implementing universal screening.
The CDC emphasizes fostering school connectedness as a protective factor against adverse outcomes, including poor mental health, substance use, violence, and risky behaviors.
Physical Security, Emergency Preparedness, and Threat Assessment
Physical Security Measures
Implementing effective physical security measures is a cornerstone of school safety. Best practices include:
- Establishing robust access control measures, such as keeping exterior doors locked during school hours
- Implementing visitor check-in systems and utilizing video doorbells or intercoms for controlled entry
- Deploying security cameras at key entry points, hallways, cafeterias, and playgrounds
- Ensuring adequate lighting both inside and outside school buildings
- Regular maintenance and audits of all physical security systems
Resources such as the K-12 School Security Guide Product Suite from CISA and the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) Safety and Security Guidelines offer comprehensive practices for securing school facilities.
Implementing principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), which focuses on designing the physical environment to deter crime through natural surveillance, access control, territoriality, and maintenance, is a highly recommended practice.
Emergency Preparedness
Comprehensive emergency preparedness is crucial for ensuring safety during various crises. Best practices include:
- Developing detailed school Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) that outline specific actions to be taken before, during, and after emergencies
- Collaborative development involving school personnel, administrators, mental health professionals, and community partners
- Regular age-appropriate drills and exercises for practicing emergency procedures
- Establishing clear communication channels using multiple methods like PA systems, text alerts, and email notifications
- Developing structured reunification plans for the safe return of students to guardians following an emergency
- Planning for recovery, including strategies to support the academic, physical, emotional, and financial well-being of the school community
The REMS Technical Assistance Center provides valuable guidance and tools for creating high-quality EOPs.
Threat Assessment
Implementing effective threat assessment protocols is a crucial component of a comprehensive school safety plan. Threat assessment involves a proactive, fact-based process to identify, evaluate, and manage individuals who may pose a threat of violence.
Establishing multidisciplinary threat assessment teams, comprising school administrators, counselors, psychologists, school resource officers, and other relevant personnel, is a key practice. These teams gather information, conduct interviews, and develop risk management strategies.
Key steps in the threat assessment process include:
- Defining prohibited and concerning behaviors
- Establishing accessible reporting mechanisms
- Determining the threshold for involving law enforcement
- Developing standardized assessment procedures
- Creating tailored risk management plans
Valuable resources include the School Threat Assessment Toolkit from the Department of Justice and the guide Enhancing School Safety Using a Threat Assessment Model from the US Secret Service.
Cyber Safety and Cyberbullying Prevention
In today’s digital world, addressing cyber safety and preventing cyberbullying is critical for student well-being. Schools must implement strategies to educate students, establish guidelines, and provide support for those affected by online harassment.
StopBullying.gov serves as a comprehensive resource, offering information and tools for understanding, preventing, and responding to all forms of bullying, including cyberbullying. The website provides resources for schools on establishing rules regarding online behavior, educating students and staff about cyberbullying, and fostering communication with parents.
ConnectSafely.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting online safety for children and teenagers. Their website offers guides, safety tips, and advice for educators and parents on navigating the digital landscape, including social media safety, student data privacy, and LGBTQ cyberbullying.
Best practices for preventing cyberbullying include:
- Establishing comprehensive anti-cyberbullying policies that outline acceptable online behaviors
- Integrating digital citizenship programs into the curriculum
- Defining roles and responsibilities of students, teachers, administrators, and parents
- Fostering communication between school staff and parents
- Empowering students to recognize cyberbullying and report incidents
- Emphasizing the importance of gathering evidence of cyberbullying incidents
- Educating students about the permanence of their digital footprint
School Resource Officers: A Balanced Perspective
The presence of School Resource Officers (SROs) in schools has become a significant aspect of school safety strategies. SROs are sworn law enforcement officers assigned to work in schools, fulfilling roles in law enforcement, counseling, mentorship, education, and emergency preparedness.
Proponents of SRO programs argue that their presence can deter criminal activity and enhance the overall sense of safety. SROs can improve response times during emergencies and foster positive relationships between law enforcement and students.
However, concerns about SROs have been raised. Research indicates that their presence can be associated with increased disciplinary actions, including suspensions, expulsions, and arrests, even for minor infractions. A concerning issue is the disproportionate impact on students of color and students with disabilities, who face higher rates of arrests and referrals to law enforcement.
The National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) has developed guidelines and best practices for SRO programs, emphasizing careful selection of officers, specialized training, and clear Memorandums of Understanding between law enforcement agencies and school districts. NASRO recommends that SROs focus on their role as educator, counselor/mentor, and law enforcer, avoiding formal school discipline.
The presence of SROs remains complex, with potential security benefits balanced against concerns about their impact on school climate and student discipline, particularly for marginalized groups.
Funding for Safety Initiatives
Financial resources enable schools to implement and sustain effective safety measures. Numerous federal and state grant programs are available to assist schools in securing necessary funding.
SchoolSafety.gov’s Grants Finder Tool allows users to search for funding opportunities based on specific needs, desired award amounts, and eligibility criteria.
Key federal grant programs include:
- The STOP School Violence Grant Program, supporting initiatives aimed at enhancing school climate and preventing violence
- The School Violence Prevention Program, offering funding for various safety measures
- The Stronger Connections Grant Program, focusing on establishing safe learning environments
- Project SERV, providing short-term assistance to schools recovering from violent events
- The Drug-Free Communities Support Program, supporting coalitions working to prevent substance use among youth
Many states provide their own funding opportunities to support schools in enhancing safety measures. Examples include Colorado’s School Access for Emergency Response Grant Program, Tennessee’s Safe Schools Act funds, Ohio’s K-12 School Safety Grant Program, and Virginia’s School Security Grants.
These grants often support physical security infrastructure, safety technology, training programs, and personnel costs associated with school safety.
Our articles make government information more accessible. Please consult a qualified professional for financial, legal, or health advice specific to your circumstances.