“We Have a Gaping Hole in Our Safety Resources”: How Schools Advocate for Safety Resources

• In Event: Poster Session 2

Abstract

US schools have historically managed school safety by using school resource officers (SROs). Recently, schools have realized the crucial role that school mental health professionals (SMHPs) play creating safe learning environments. Empirical evidence analyzing the increasing use of SMHPs to manage school safety remains limited. This study explores how schools advocate for additional school safety resources, specifically the need for either a SMHP or an SRO. We analyze text data taken from applications schools and administrators participating in Arizona’s School Safety Program. Using critical discourse analysis methodology, we explore three important questions. First, what major school safety gaps did schools identify? Second, what major safety needs did schools identify? Third, how do schools describe their need and advocate for an SMHP versus an SRO? Our analysis demonstrates that schools were aware of their inability to meet the safety needs of students without hiring additional safety personnel, noting a lack of mental health and prevention resources to aid students’ educational development. Schools also noted the continued impact of community characteristics on school safety, including community violence, drug use, and limited community resources to help families and students. We also discuss the impact of our findings for future research and educational policy.

Authors

• Kay Saraí Varela, Arizona State University

• Sarah Lindstrom Johnson, Arizona State University

• Brooke Johnson, Arizona State University

• Anthony Peguero, Arizona State University

• Andrea Montes, Arizona State University