Threat Assessment and Reporting

Identify and address safety concerns to reduce the threat of violence.

Identifying, reporting, and addressing safety concerns can help reduce the threat of targeted violence and enhance student safety. Schools can consider establishing a centralized reporting system that is continually monitored and allows for anonymous reporting to help students and other members of the school community provide information on concerns for wellness or safety. Creating a school climate characterized by support and inclusivity can also help enhance safety and foster an environment that is conducive in engaging and empowering students to report concerns.

Schools may also consider the use of well-trained and diverse multidisciplinary school threat assessment teams. These teams should include certified mental health professionals and the approach should include providing the supports and interventions students need when they need them.

Featured Resources

These resources are a starting point for learning more about threat assessment and reporting. Use these resources to help implement a threat assessment and reporting system.

Additionally, SchoolSafety.gov regularly publishes issue briefs that provide a high-level overview of a specific school safety topic as well as a sampling of aligned strategies, resources, programs, and tools. Download and explore threat assessment and reporting-related issue briefs below.

Guidance

Improving School Safety Through Bystander Reporting: A Toolkit for Strengthening K-12 Reporting Programs

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and Department of Homeland Security, 2023

This toolkit offers simple strategies and guidance K-12 schools and school districts can use to implement and enhance safety reporting programs and encourage bystander reporting among students and other members of the school community.

Guidance

Averting Targeted School Violence: A U.S. Secret Service Analysis of Plots Against Schools

Department of Homeland Security, March 2021

The following study examines 67 disrupted plots against K-12 schools and highlights the importance of proactive reporting and intervention.

Report

School Tip Line Toolkit: A Blueprint for Implementation and Sustainability

Third Party, 2018

This downloadable guide is designed to help educators, law enforcement professionals, community leaders, and school safety experts navigate key decisions and consider the factors necessary to support successful and efficient tip line implementation as part of an overall school safety strategy.

Guidance

Enhancing School Safety Using a Threat Assessment Model

Department of Homeland Security, July 2018

This guide provides actionable steps that schools can take to develop comprehensive targeted violence prevention plans and create processes and procedures for conducting threat assessments.

Filter Resources

All Threat Assessment and Reporting Resources

Access additional resources below to learn more about threat assessment and reporting and related best practices. Use the filters to sort resources based on preparedness action.

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Podcast

Understanding Firearm-Related Injury and School Violence Series

Department of Justice, 2024

This podcast interview series provides information on the intersection of school safety strategies and firearm-related injury. Episodes cover topics such as youth suicide prevention, anonymous reporting systems, and community engagement.

Fact Sheet

Bullying Prevention and Preparedness Modelling

Department of Justice, 2023

This document outlines key takeaways, additional resources, and discussion questions from a recorded webinar on upstream practices that help schools reduce instances of bullying.

Fact Sheet

Anonymous Reporting Systems Response Skill Building

Department of Justice, 2023

This document outlines key takeaways, additional resources, and discussion questions from a recorded webinar about coordinated approaches to tip reporting scenarios and the interface between threat assessment teams and triaging tips.