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Chapter 1
The States of Concern report
A yearly research report published by the Educator’s School Safety Network that aggregates and analyzes data pertaining to threats and incidents of violence in U.S. schools.
The School-Based Violent Incidents and Threats report
A yearly research report published by the Educator’s School Safety Network that aggregates and analyzes data pertaining to school-based violent incidents and threats.
Letter from then Secretary of Education John B. King Jr.
An advisement to schools and universities regarding the role of school resource officers.
SECURe Policy Rubric
A Department of Justice rubric for states and local governments “looking to develop or revise statutes, regulations, and written agreements related to the appropriate incorporation of school-based law enforcement officers.”
Visitor Entry Screening training
Education-based training for staff who will be using visitor entry systems or screening visitors to school buildings.
Supplemental bibliography and links for other related resources
Additional resources and materials related to topics discussed in Chapter 1.
American Association of School Administrators. (2010, May 18). School budgets 101.
Jones, J. M. (Ed.). (2017, August 17). Parental fear about school safety back to pre-Newtown level.
Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4): 370–396.
McGurk, H., & Hurry, J. (1995). Project Charlie: An evaluation of a life skills drug education programme for primary students. London: Drugs Prevention Initiative.
New York Police Department Counterterrorism Bureau. (2011, January 20). Active shooter: Recommendations and analysis for risk mitigation. NY: Author.
Prevention Institute. (n.d.).Violence and learning [Fact sheet]. Oakland, CA: Author.
Schlecty, P. (2005). Creating great schools: Six critical systems at the heart of educational innovation. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Sherwood, B. (2009). The survivors club: The secrets and science that could save your life. New York: Grand Central Publishing.
Stephens, R. D. (n.d.). Director’s message. National School Safety Center (website).
Chapter 2
Checklist-What Makes a Good Vulnerability Assessment?
A vulnerability assessment (often called a site survey), is critical in preparing, preventing, and responding to crisis events in schools. This checklist provides guidance as to what elements and activities should be part of an effective risk assessment for schools. Download the checklist and reproduce as needed.
A comprehensive, education-based vulnerability assessment is an important starting point for improving school safety. Use this checklist to assist in planning and to determine whether your school has assessed the most critical components.
Threat Assessment Management training
Education-based training for threat assessment team members that combines content instruction, implementation strategies, and logistical concerns.
Tip Sheet for Intervention and Support
Providing appropriate supports and intervention is a critical component of threat assessment management. The intervention strategies outlined in the check sheet include a continuum of services from low-level monitoring to very intensive intervention, and incorporate activities within the school, home, mental health, and law enforcement systems. Download the tip sheet and reproduce as needed.
Strategies and suggestions for creating and implementing appropriate supports and intervention related to the management of individuals of concern.
Planning, Creating, Training and Implementing a Threat Assessment Team: A Guide for Educators
This guide is an introduction to threat assessment management and provides an education-focused overview of how threat assessment teams work in a school setting. Guidance, resources, and best practices for creating and implementing threat assessment in your school or district are discussed.
Enhancing School Safety Using a Threat Assessment Model: An Operational Guide for Preventing Targeted School Violence
In July of 2018, the U.S. Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security’s National Threat Assessment Center released a school-specific guide to threat assessment.
This publication, as well as the summary brief that accompanies it, provides the foundational underpinnings of threat assessment and management.
Supplemental bibliography and links for other related resources
Additional resources and materials related to topics discussed in Chapter 2.
Goodrum, S., & Woodward, W. (2016, January). Report on the Arapahoe High School shooting: Lessons learned on information sharing, threat assessment, and systems integrity. Boulder, CO: University of Colorado Boulder.
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Safe and Healthy Students. (2013). Guide for developing high-quality school emergency operations plans. Washington, DC: Authors.
Vossekuil, B., Fein, R., Reddy, M., Borum, R., & Modzeleski, W. (2002). The final report and findings of the Safe School Initiative: Implications for the prevention of school attacks in the United States. Washington, DC: U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Department of Education.
Chapter 3
Guide for Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans.
A planning guide designed for educational leaders to assist in creating, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive, all-hazards emergency operations plan.
Risk Matrix Worksheet
Use this downloadable worksheet to identify and analyze the threats and hazards facing your school, inform your crisis planning, and prioritize your response capabilities. Download the matrix and reproduce as needed.
What vulnerabilities and threats does your school face? This worksheet is for use in planning, vulnerability assessments, and professional development.
What Does ICS Look Like in Schools?
A simple, but effective graphic representation of how the incident command structure of emergency responders applies to school settings. Download and reproduce as needed. Download the graphic and reproduce as needed.
A graphical representation that applies incident command to a typical school or district’s organizational structure.
Incident Command Structure diagram
A PDF of the incident command structure referenced in the chapter.
Components of Comprehensive School and School District Emergency Management Plans
Wondering what your school’s crisis plan is missing? This guide provides a brief summary and description of each of the components recommended by FEMA for an effective emergency management plan.
A detailed description of the components of comprehensive, all-hazards emergency operation and management plans for use at building and district levels.
Supplemental bibliography and links for other related resources
Additional and updated resources and materials related to topics discussed in Chapter 3.
Brock, S. E., Nickerson, A. B., Reeves, M. A., Jimerson, S. R., Lieberman, R. A., & Feinberg, T. A. (2009). School crisis prevention and intervention. Bethesda, MD: National Association of School Psychologists.
Brymer, M., Jacobs. A., Layne, C., Pynoos, R., Ruzek. J., Steinberg, A., et al. (2006). Psychological first aid: Field operations guide (2nd ed.). Rockville, MD: National Child Traumatic Stress Network and National Center for PTSD.
Dorn, M., & Dorn, C. (2005). Innocent targets: When terrorism comes to school. Macon, GA: Safe Havens International.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). (2010, November). Developing and Maintaining Emergency Operations Plans: Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG 101, Version 2.0). Washington, DC: Government Printing Office.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (2017, September). Plan and prepare for disasters
Chapter 4
Empowered or Intimidated?: A Self-Assessment Inventory
Does your school safety training empower, or intimidate educators and students? Download the inventory for your staff and reproduce as needed. to jump start this critical conversation.
School safety procedures and training should empower educators, not intimidate them. Use this inventory to reflect on whether the safety policies, procedures, and training in your school empowers or intimidates.
Supplemental bibliography and links for other related resources
Additional resources and materials related to topics discussed in Chapter 4.
Blair, J. P., Martaindale, M. H., & Nichols, T. (2014, January). Active shooter events from 2000 to 2012. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin.
Cowan, D., & Kuenster, J. (1996). To sleep with the angels: The story of a fire. Chicago: Ivan R. Dee.
Chapter 5
Post-incident debriefings and reports
Reports from mass-casualty and school shooting incidents, including the shootings at Columbine High School, Virginia Tech, and Sandy Hook Elementary.
Leveled-lockdown graphic
Download the classroom sign and reproduce as needed.
A PDF graphic outlining leveled lockdown that can be used as a classroom sign or professional development handout.
Self-Assessment - Is Our Response Effective?
Is your school prepared to effectively respond to a crisis event? This self-assessment helps school leaders to critically analyze areas of concern that you might not have considered. We don't know what we don't know - and here's a way to find out. Download and reproduce this important self-assessment.
Are your school's protocols for active shooter response and lockdown up to date and in compliance with best practices? This self-assessment checklist will help you to assess the effectiveness of a school’s procedures in these critical areas.
Lockdown Enhancements and Alternatives training
Education-based training on lockdown enhancements and active shooter response.
Supplemental bibliography and links for other related resources
Additional resources and materials related to topics discussed in chapter 5.
Blair, J. P., & Schweit, K. W. (2014). A study of active shooter incidents, 2000–2013. Washington, DC: Texas State University and Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Justice.
Dorn, M. (2015, January). Active shooter training under fire again. School Safety Monthly, 4–6.
Dorn, M. (2015, May 13). ALICE training injury lawsuit filed by school employee [blog post].
Governors Columbine Review Commission. (2001). The report of Governor Bill Owens’ Columbine Review Commission. Denver:
McFarland, J., Hussar, B., de Brey, C., Snyder, T., Wang, X., Wilkinson-Flicker, S., et al. (2017). The condition of education 2017 (NCES 2017- 144). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics.
Office of Emergency Communications. (2010, June). Plain language frequently asked questions (FAQs). Washington, DC: Department of Homeland Security.
Sedensky, S. J. (2013). Report of the state’s attorney for the judicial district of Danbury on the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School and 36 Yogananda Street, Newtown, Connecticut on December 14, 2012. Danbury, CT: Office of the State’s Attorney.
Virginia Tech Review Panel. (2007, April 16). Mass shootings at Virginia Tech. Available:
Zhang, A., Musu-Gillette, L., & Oudekerk, B.A. (2016). Indicators of school crime and safety: 2015 (NCES 2016-079/NCJ 249758). Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education; and Bureau of Justice Statistics, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.
Chapter 6
After-Hours Crisis Response training
Education-based training on planning for and managing crisis response outside of traditional school hours.
The School-Based Bomb Incidents and Threats report
An annual research report published by the Educator’s School Safety Network that aggregates and analyzes data pertaining to school-based bomb threats and incidents.
School-Based Bomb Incident Management training
Education-based training on planning for and responding to bomb incidents, including threats, suspicious items, and detonations.
Supplemental bibliography and links for other related resources
Additional resources and materials related to topics discussed in Chapter 6.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. (2003). Bomb threat response: An interactive planning tool for schools [CD-ROM]. Washington, DC: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Department of the Treasury; and the Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program, U.S. Department of Education.
Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center (EMRTC). (2010, November). Incident response to terrorist bombings (National Domestic Preparedness Consortium Publication No. PER 230-1). Socorro, NM:
Green, E. (2017, August 8). The JCC bomb-threat suspect had a client. The Atlantic.
Newman, G. R. (2011, August). Bomb threats in schools (Publication No. 32). Albany, NY: Center for Problem-Oriented Policing.
Chapter 7
Family Emergency Plan Templates
Samples and templates for creating family emergency plans.
Supplemental bibliography and links for other related resources
Additional resources and materials related to topics discussed in chapter 7.
Standard Reunification Method Planning Guide
A link to downloadable materials for parent reunification from the “I Love U Guys” Foundation.
Parent Reunification training
Education-based training on the facility, staffing, accountability, and logistical concerns involved in planning and implementing parent reunification.
The PREPaRE Model
Information on the National Association of School Psychologists’ PREPaRE Model for crisis intervention and recovery.
Supplemental bibliography and links for other related resources--Additional resources and materials related to topics discussed in chapter 8.
Brock, S., Nickerson, A., Louvar Reeves, M., Conolly, C., Jimerson, S., Pesce, R., & Lazzaro, B. (2016). School crisis prevention and intervention: The PREPaRE model (2nd ed.). Bethesda, MD: National Association of School Psychologists.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (2001). Mental health and mass violence: Evidence-based early psychological intervention for victims/survivors of mass violence. A workshop to reach consensus on best practices. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
Save the Children. (2013). Unaccounted for: A national report card on protecting children in disasters. Washington, DC: Author.