A Content Analysis of Guardian Training in Rural Texas School Districts

• In Event: Impact of the Texas Guardian Legislation

Abstract

This paper reports the results of a qualitative content analysis of the training programs rural Texas school districts use to train Texas's Guardians in their role. Findings from the 2020-2023 Texas School Safety and Security District Audit Report indicate that 43 different training programs were utilized by public vendors to Guardians from across the state. Open-source data was examined to determine the types, amounts, and variations of training Texas Guardians received to prepare them for response to an active shooter event. The common themes from all training programs are presented, along with an analysis of each common finding. Finally, the implications of theory to fundamental practice are discussed.

Authors

• Joshua J. Davis, Texas State Universtiy

• Alison Jarzombek-Torralva, Texas School Safety Center

• Scott Bowman, Texas State University