How Do Schools Support Students After a Threat Assessment?

• In Event: Innovations in School Violence Prevention and Intervention

Abstract

Many states require schools to use threat assessment to maintain a safe school climate, but few studies have examined the nature and extent of services provided following a threat assessment, which is designed to take a supportive approach to students for whom there is concern about potential violence. In our Florida statewide sample of 23,134 cases, approximately three-quarters of students received at least one service. The most common services were parent consultation (45%), mental health (MH) services (33%), restorative practices (24%), and increased monitoring (20%). Generally, parity was observed across groups, except Black students were slightly less likely to receive MH services than White students (OR=.83). Disability status and threat seriousness were also associated with the types of services provided.

Authors

• Jennifer L. Maeng, University of Virginia

• Deanne Cowley, University of Virginia

• Dewey G. Cornell, University of Virginia

• Francis H. Lim Huang, University of Missouri