School Climate Outcomes of Schools Implementing the Virginia Student Threat Assessment Guidelines Threat Assessment Model: A Statewide Effectiveness Study

• In Event: 34.087 - Evidence for Practices to Improve School Climate and Safety

Abstract

In 2013, Virginia mandated threat assessment (TA), a school climate intervention, in all K-12 schools. This quasi-experimental effectiveness study compared school climate outcomes for Virginia K-12 schools using the Virginia Student Threat Assessment Guidelines (VSTAG) model (n = 1,028) with those using other TA models (n = 813) following introduction of the mandate. Bi-annual school climate survey responses and long and short-term suspension rates were analyzed via ANCOVA. VSTAG schools had students with more favorable perceptions of school discipline, lower peer aggression, and lower short-term suspension rates than non-VSTAG schools. One interpretation is that VSTAG-schools have a less punitive orientation toward school discipline and a more preventive approach to resolving student conflicts that has generalized effects on school climate.

Authors

• Jennifer L. Maeng, University of Virginia

• Dewey G. Cornell, University of Virginia