Statewide Implementation of Threat Assessment in Florida Schools

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 5
  In Poster Session: General Counseling Topics (San Diego)

Abstract

Following the shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School, Florida mandated the use of threat assessment teams in all public schools. We are conducting a federally-funded examination of threat assessment implementation in Florida Public Schools. A central goal is to help assure equity in outcomes across racial/ethnic groups. In this presentation, we report results of phase one, a needs assessment of all Florida school districts. More than half of district school safety specialists reported a need for support in training their teams and implementation needs such as follow-up interventions for students, working with parents, and staff time to conduct threat assessments. We discuss how these needs are critical to assuring that each student is carefully evaluated and receives appropriate services.

Authors

• Jennifer L. Maeng, University of Virginia

• Dewey G. Cornell, University of Virginia