The Importance of Prevention in School Safety Planning and Response.

Abstract

Background: School violence is a significant public health concern. Most perpetrators exhibit psychosocial and behavioral warning signals which are often inadequately addressed. While policy and funding typically reinforce politically popular target hardening and threat assessment strategies, these are not most supported by research or requested by education faculty and administration.

Theoretical contributions: The most common threats to school safety are ubiquitous events causing students to feel disconnected, alienated, isolated, and unsafe in school. Theoretical and empirical research indicates that focusing on rare but extreme school violence is less productive than preventative approaches including universal socio-emotional programs, mental health supports, and climate and culture building to produce effective strategies for safe school environments.

Implications for school health policy, practice, and equity: Comprehensive school safety plans should include three essential preventative components: (1) targeted, student-centered approaches addressing social, emotional, and behavioral wellbeing; (2) equity-focused institutional culture and climate approaches aligned with appropriate disciplinary strategies; and (3) well-defined target hardening, threat assessment and reporting measures.

Conclusions: Increasing evidence suggests that keeping schools safe requires coordinated approaches to school safety including student-centered psycho-social behavioral initiatives, systematic attention to equitable culture and climate, and meaningful, racially sensitive target hardening coordinated among and between service professionals.