This episode of School and Around dives into the critical topic of threat assessments in schools, particularly in relation to Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). The conversation features experts Dr. Dewey Coronel and Dr. Ellina Xiong, who discuss the importance of a systematic approach to threat assessments, the need for multidisciplinary teams, and the role of community engagement in ensuring school safety. They emphasize the significance of psychological safety for students and the necessity of ongoing training for staff involved in threat assessments.

Resources:

Threat Assessment Guide

Webinar on Threat Assessment

Takeaways:

• Threat assessments are essential for preventing school violence.
• A unified team-based approach is crucial for effective threat assessment.
• Most threats reported in schools are not serious and require careful evaluation.
• Community education is vital to differentiate between seeking help and snitching.
• Psychological safety is foundational for a positive learning environment.
• Threat assessment processes should avoid overreaction and underreaction.
• Multidisciplinary teams enhance the effectiveness of threat assessments.
• Regular training and practice for threat assessment teams are necessary.
• Schools should focus on building relationships with students to prevent violence.
• Statistical data shows that school shootings are rare compared to other forms of violence.

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