Threat Assessment and Reporting

Identify and address threatening or concerning behaviors before they lead to violence.

Identifying, reporting, and addressing concerning student behaviors and other suspicious activities can help stop violence before it occurs. One practice schools may consider is 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.

Schools may also establish a reporting system that is continually monitored and allows anonymous reporting to help members of the school community provide information on concerning behaviors or suspicious activities.

Use the filter below to sort resources available based upon stages of preparedness.

Featured Resources

These resources are a starting point for learning about threat assessment and reporting. Use these resources to help implement a threat assessment and reporting system. Members of the school community can also download this SchoolSafety.gov infographic to access a sampling of threat assessment and reporting resources and this SchoolSafety.gov infographic to learn more about strategies to enhance student and school safety through reporting programs and related resources.

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

The federal government identified additional resources that highlight strategies for school safety. Use these resources to learn more about threat assessment and reporting.

Guidance

Social Media Threat Guidance for School Staff and Authorities

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, 2023

This infographic highlights social media threats affecting school districts in the United States, provides mitigation and response measures for social media threats directed at school districts, and connects school safety stakeholders to a suite of tools and resources available to promote a culture of readiness and preparedness.

Fact Sheet

Five Facts About Mass Shootings in K-12 Schools

Department of Justice, 2022

This fact sheet shares five learnings from National Institute of Justice-sponsored research about mass shootings in K-12 schools.

Checklist

Safe and Supportive Schools: 20 Questions Every Parent Should Ask

Third Party, 2018

This resource provides a list of questions to help parents and guardians have a conversation with school principals about school safety policies and procedures; preventative resources for students, families and school personnel; and what type of communication channels in place for families and students.