School safety in the United States has evolved significantly over the past 25 years. In 2019, about 5 percent of students ages 12–18 reported that they had been afraid of attack or harm at school during the school year. The way we look at what is considered a “safe school” has shifted, and a school that may look safe from the outside could feel unsafe from the inside.
In this article, we will cover the anatomy of a safe school, focusing on not only the physical security and architectural aspects of school safety, but also what happens on the inside, including the people, policies and procedures that make schools a safe place for our future generations to learn and grow.
Similar to how the human brain informs the body on how to function, policies and procedures of school safety and security inform school officials, staff, and even students on how to act in emergency situations. These policies and procedures help staff and emergency personnel know how to successfully use the security technology and any other security measures their school may have in place. Effective policies and procedures should be the first measure to assess when looking at school safety and security, as they play a large role in mitigating risks and are often cost-free or very low-cost.
Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) categorizes policies and procedures under TIER 1 of their TIER Continuum of school security as foundational best practices.
Explore some examples of TIER 1 policies and procedures for each layer of protection PASS defines below:
Of course, policies and procedures will differ by school district, school and even classroom, but ensuring that basic best practices are met is the first step towards a safer school.
Physical security and a school’s architecture are the bones of school safety. These aspects are what keep the school security structure together and able to complete typical school activities on a day-to-day basis.
Reaction time is crucial in any kind of emergency. To have a quick reaction, there must be early and accurate detection. There are a variety of alarm systems necessary on a school campus, from fire alarms to traditional intrusion detection systems. PASS guidelines state that the most important aspect of detection and alarm systems is that they “provide the technological means to easily translate the detection of a security threat to a strategic notification that best fits with the processes and protocols put in place to respond to the threats that schools face.”
It is important to note that like all security systems, regular maintenance and testing are essential to ensuring an effective and functioning school security protocol. From software updates to checking that cameras are online; security testing should have a dedicated spot on a school’s security procedures.
Just as a human body wouldn’t be able to function without the heart, a school safety protocol would be unfunctional without people and their ability to communicate between themselves. While policies and procedures, and physical security and architecture are extremely important in creating a safe school, the people involved are vital to the success of any emergency action plan.
Accurate and timely communication is essential in any emergency situation. Whether it is between administrators and emergency personnel, or between a teacher and their students, having clear, dedicated communication systems is vital to the safety and security of the staff and students in schools. Here are some communication pathways to consider:
Ex: Getting every party on the same page during an emergency is essential to controlling the situation. While a phone call to 911 is typically what our minds first go to as a method of contacting emergency services, there are now a plethora of technologies that can alert authorities with the touch of a button. Some platforms are even integrated with the physical security systems, making dispatch time almost immediate. This quick alert and simple form of communication can often help save lives.
Ex: Ensuring timely and accurate communication with parents during emergencies is extremely important to avoid any interference with emergency personnel working to control the situation. Having a dedicated system and point of contact that communicates with the parents, maybe even offering real time updates and instructions on what to do next, alleviates anxiety for parents and sets a school up for success when reunification protocols are ready to be executed.
Ex: Communication can sometimes be silent. During a lockdown, teachers can communicate with students to hide out of site and remain silent while the teacher ensures the classroom policies and procedures for a lockdown are executed. In other situations, like a fire or tornado, teachers are charged with protecting their students and guiding them through the emergency – which is an extremely important job.
The people in a school are the most important piece of this puzzle. Vigilant staff and students play a large role in recognizing and deterring emergencies of any kind. Ensuring that all students and staff feel empowered to take action in emergencies is essential to creating a safe school environment.
Schools that have educated and trained their staff and students on how to handle emergencies situations and supplied them with the tools to prevent or react to all emergency situations feel safer on the inside.
As we have covered, there are many factors that make a school a safe and secure environment that fosters growth and creativity. School safety is everyone’s responsibility, whether you are a security director, a school board member, a teacher, a student, or a community member.
It can be difficult to ensure your school is as safe and secure as possible. Schools are busy places, and leaders have a lot of responsibilities beyond security. The first step to improving your school’s security is understanding the potential risks your school faces. Schedule a security assessment of your school today and take the first step to a more secure tomorrow for your staff and students.