Belonging through a culture of dignity: The keys to successful equity implementation
Authors Introduction to their work
We believe the greatest challenge and responsibility of leaders – especially public servants – is to create and maintain environments where each person belongs and thrives.
In recent history, school districts and other organizations have pursued this goal through initiatives such as diversity, equity, and inclusion. However, implementing such initiatives can be really tough and lead to more conflict. Many leaders care deeply about their community but aren’t quite sure how to take accountability for providing each person the conditions needed to thrive. Some leaders fear they might even make things worse if they try.
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Characteristics Associated with Violence and Safety in Middle Schools
Criteria: One of the first studies to examine CPTED principles in relation to school violence; documentation of an under-utilized resource in school safety
Key Takeaway: This study shows that strategic building design and maintenance that utilizes the five principles of CPTED (Crime Prevention through Environmental Design) can play a significant role in deterring school violence and promoting safety. Employing CPTED principles such as National Surveillance or Access Management can increase feelings of student safety and potentially reduce violence and absenteeism. The research suggests that taking building design into account can be a comprehensive, cost-effective approach to creating safer schools that has the additional benefit of promoting a sense of community ownership.
Insights from Homeland Security on Building Safer Schools
Criteria: Department of Homeland Security publication, high level of expertise, comprehensiveness
Key Takeaways: This comprehensive Homeland Security report offers invaluable insights for educators, recognizing the complexities of diverse school environments while maintaining a focus on constructing safe infrastructure. Structured across five chapters, the report discusses risk assessment methodologies, intricacies of architectural and engineering designs for protection, and proposes practical preventative measures addressing school shootings, blast effects, and toxic releases. This accessible guide empowers school leaders with a wealth of knowledge to promote safety, balance various design considerations, and proactively respond to potential threats.
Active shooter drills in the United States: A national study of youth experiences and perceptions
Criteria: Seriousness and importance of topic in relation to violence and school safety; relevance of data to the problem of school shootings
Key Takeaway: This study presents insightful findings from a survey of 815 students aged 14-24 about their experiences with school active shooter drills, revealing considerable variability in drill implementation and a common experience of emotional distress. The study suggests school districts might benefit from adopting the “Run. Hide. Fight” protocol, as recommended by Homeland Security and the FBI. Crucially, it also highlights the need to take into account the emotional wellbeing of students in the planning and execution of these drills, with key recommendations including the involvement of a school psychologist and the incorporation of discussion-based exercises for student processing.
A Resource Set for Emergency Planning
Criteria: Excellent website with a variety of toolkits and resources to help schools and institutions implement tailored plans for emergency management operations
Key Takeaway: The REMS Technical Assistance Center offers vital resources to schools for crafting comprehensive emergency plans. Through detailed toolkits, such as the “Guide for Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans,” webinars on pertinent topics like trauma and student behavior, and interactive tools like the “Interactive Floor Plan Tool,” educators are empowered to safeguard their institutions and ensure student safety.
Adding Security, but Subtracting Safety? Exploring Schools’ use of Multiple Visible Security Measures
Criteria: One of the first research studies to examine the use and effects of multiple visibility security measures in schools
Key Takeaway: This research investigates the effects of visible security measures in schools – including security personnel, cameras, and metal detectors – and their potential to either enhance or reduce school safety. The study found that while these measures decreased property destruction, they paradoxically led to an increase in exposure to fights and drugs, potentially creating an unintended criminalizing culture. However, educators should be aware of the study’s limitations such as the difficulty in distinguishing between increased detection versus genuine increase in negative behaviors, and the disproportionate application of such measures in lower SES and racially/ethnically diverse schools.
Johns Hopkins Produces a Comprehensive Report on School Safety Technology
Criteria: Funded by the Department of Justice, experts from the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, The Johns Hopkins School of Education, and the Bloomburg School of Public Health collaborated to produce a comprehensive review of a wide range of technologies to support school safety.
Key Takeaway: This comprehensive report, funded by the Department of Justice, offers a detailed review of technologies used to enhance school safety, ranging from simple access control mechanisms to sophisticated surveillance and detection systems. It covers best practices in planning and implementation, and scrutinizes each technology in terms of usage, benefits, concerns, cost, emerging advancements, current vendors, and additional resources. Educators can use this report as an encyclopedia to navigate school safety technologies.