What Threat Assessment is
A systematic process that is designed to:
- Identify persons of concern
- Gather information/investigate
- Assess person and situation
- Manage the person situation
Why schools should use it
Behavioral Threat Assessment is broadly recommended for use in schools by:
- The Federal Commission on School Safety (2018)
- Multiple Federal agencies in the Guide for Developing High Quality School Emergency Operations Plans
- Required by law for schools in Virginia, Maryland, and Florida, and Texas (Per 86th TX Legislature/S811)
Building and Operating A School Threat Assessment Program
New video: School gun violence doesn’t have to be inevitable
It’s hard to be shocked these days.
The overwhelming whirl of news and content and media that flies by everyday leaves us seemingly numb to things we shouldn’t be numb to-like violence.
And even when videos or news stories go “viral”, that steady stream of content often washes away public attention before real, in-depth conversations can happen.
New video: School Gun Violence
Threat Assessments and the Six-Step Planning Process
STEP 1
Form a collaborative planning team
- Identify Core Planning Team
- Form a Common Framework
- Define and Assign Roles and Responsibilities
- Determine a regular schedule of meetings
STEP 2
Understanding the situation
Identify threats and hazards
- Assess Risk
- Prioritize Threats and Hazards
| STEP 3 Determine Goals and Objectives Develop Goals Develop Objectives | STEP 4 Plan Development [Identifying Courses of Action] |
| STEP 5 Plan Preparation, Review & Approval Format the Plan Write the Plan Review the Plan Approve and Share the Plan |
STEP 6
Plan Implementation & Maintenance
- Train Stakeholders
- Exercise the Plan
- Review, Revise, and Maintain the Plan