Education

The Education Sector is comprised of organizations and businesses that are responsible for the education of children and adults.  Entities within this community are a valuable resource that can provide information related to suspicious activities occurring on and around school grounds and campuses.  Primary and secondary schools, post-secondary schools, colleges and universities, and technical schools are entities that are a part of this community.

It is important for schools to have an all-hazards approach to safety because there are so many possible threats that can occur in any school setting.  Drugs, alcohol, student behavior, weapons, and bomb threats are just a few of the issues that the education community contends with on a daily basis.

RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS

It all begins with a plan

Individuals who commit acts of violence usually don’t just decide one day to randomly attack their schools.  In the 2002 study, IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PREVENTION OF SCHOOL ATTACKS IN THE UNITED STATESconducted by the Secret Service, of 411 school shooters since 1974, a plan is usually developed before the event ever occurs.  
So, the question is, “What can schools do to try and prevent a distressed student from reaching the stage where he/she is 
actually creating a plan to carry out an attack?” 

Barriers must be broken

Students need to be able to talk to a teacher, counselor, or some other adult about their concerns.  The creation of a confidential, safe environment will encourage more to step forward so that help can be provided, in a timely manner, to troubled students exhibiting the SIGNS.

Time is of the essence  

Vo-Techs, Colleges, Universities, and K-12 schools need to have a plan in place in order to be able to react quickly to a potentially dangerous situation.  By taking a proactive approach to the possibility of a school shooting, educators’ place themselves in a position of power that may help prevent a tragedy before it occurs.  

For more information on school violence click here.