Threat Assessment Trumps Drills for School Safety

Schools nationwide are evaluating safety measures following incidents like the Santa Clarita, Calif., shooting. While active shooter drills are mandated in at least eight states, their effectiveness is not well-researched and can be traumatizing for some students, particularly those with developmental disorders. A comprehensive U.S. Secret Service report emphasizes threat assessment as a more effective strategy.

The Secret Service analyzed 41 targeted school attacks from 2008 to 2017. The findings revealed that 83% of attacks concluded within five minutes, and 68% of schools already had lockdown procedures, indicating that preventative measures are crucial. The report advocates for multidisciplinary prevention, involving educators, mental health professionals, and law enforcement.

Threat assessment involves identifying students exhibiting concerning behavior or distress to provide help before violence occurs. Bullying and ostracism were significant factors for many attackers, with a high incidence of them being bullied. Notably, most attackers displayed warning signs, such as concerning statements or goodbyes, yet these were often not reported by bystanders.

Bystander reports suggest that a lack of trust in school response or fear of repercussions prevents reporting. The report concludes that focusing on improving the overall school climate through proactive prevention efforts is more beneficial, especially since such targeted attacks are rare and show no upward trend in frequency or severity.