New Toolkit for K-12 Schools to Strengthen School Safety Reporting Programs
May 18, 2023
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) recently released the K-12 Bystander Reporting Toolkit, a new resource to support kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) schools in strengthening school safety reporting programs and encouraging bystander reporting among students and other members of the school community.
The K-12 Bystander Reporting Toolkit offers simple strategies and guidance K-12 schools and school districts can use to implement or enhance safety reporting programs and create a school environment where students are more willing and able to report concerns for the wellness and safety of themselves or others. It is designed to help school leaders create tailored, customized approaches that best meet the needs of their unique communities.
Developed in collaboration with the Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center, the toolkit offers five key strategies for schools to consider in strengthening their school safety reporting programs:
- Encourage bystanders to report concerns for the wellness and safety of themselves or others.
- Make reporting accessible and safe for the reporting community.
- Follow-up on reports and be transparent about the actions taken in response to reported concerns.
- Make reporting a part of daily school life.
- Create a positive climate where reporting is valued and respected.
The K-12 Bystander Reporting Toolkit is applicable to schools comprising a range of student populations, geographical settings, and at various levels of maturity in their approach to reporting. In addition to strategies and guidance, it provides self-assessment worksheets and checklists and a list of additional school safety resources on topics such as threat assessment and school climate.
Access “Improving School Safety Through Bystander Reporting: A Toolkit for Strengthening K-12 Reporting Programs,” here.
