School Active Shooter Drills: Mitigating Risks to Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Health – A Report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Session Type: Invited Speaker Session

Abstract

The 2025 consensus study report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, School Active Shooter Drills, explores how these drills are conducted and how to reduce potential harm while supporting school safety. Developed by a committee of experts in education, school safety, public health, pediatrics, child and adolescent development, psychiatry, psychology, neuroscience, public policy, and criminology, this report provides an in-depth review of current practices and offers guidance. The report provides suggestions for implementing practices that promote prevention and preparedness while supporting well-being, and foster learning environments where students and staff feel safe, capable, and supported.

This session will feature an overview of the report and recommendations from members of the committee that produced the consensus study, as well as discussion on future research directions based on the recommendations provided in the report.

Sub Unit

• AERA Science and Policy Sessions

Chair

• Dorothy L. Espelage, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

Participants

• Melissa Brymer, UCLA-Duke University National Center for Child Traumatic Stress and its National Child Traumatic S

• Kristen Harper, Child Trends

• Anthony A. Peguero, Arizona State University

Discussants

• Ron Avi Astor, University of California - Los Angeles

• Chris Curran, University of Florida