A steady increase in school shootings in recent years, combined with a flurry of violent threats and swatting calls, has school districts on edge as they begin the 2024-25 school year. How to receive and handle tips regarding potentially harmful behavior is a major concern for schools. Although some tips are found to be baseless, tips received by schools can also be credible. For example, before the recent mass school shooting in Georgia, student Colt Gray’s mother reportedly voiced concerns about her son to the school counselor at Apalachee High School before Gray killed two students and two teachers on September 4th. There is also speculation that one of Gray’s teachers noted concerning behavior prior to the shooting.

According to a report by K-12 Dive, to evaluate the credibility of concerning student behavior, schools should have in place a behavioral threat assessment team that investigates all concerns — no matter how big or small — and to which teachers, students, parents, and bus drivers can make a report that is ultimately routed to the team for evaluation. To encourage that kind of reporting, however, classroom culture needs to shift from one where teachers feel judged for student misbehavior to one where reporting is expected.

In addition, behavioral threat assessment is not disciplinary; rather, it is meant to identify students who may need specific support, like mental health resources, and provide that resource while also keeping students and communities safe.

For more information from K-12 Dive, click here.