School Safety Training Needs Assessment: Report on Findings

• NCJ Number: 198356
• Author(s): Donna Walko-Frankovic; Trina Bogle Willard
• Date Published: March 2002
• Length: 29 pages
• Corporate Author: Virginia Dept of Criminal Justice Services
• Sale Source: Virginia Dept of Criminal Justice Services
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Downloaded December 27, 2002

Annotation

This report presents findings and recommendations from the Evaluation Unit of the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services identifying the safety training needs of Virginia's public school staff to guide training strategies and resource development.

Abstract

In 2000, the Virginia General Assembly established the Virginia Center for School Safety (VCSS) within the Department of Criminal Justice Services to provide resources, training, data collection, and information on effective school safety initiatives to localities. The VCSS utilized Virginia's Department of Criminal Justice Services Evaluation Unit to determine how to collect information from those directly involved in school safety. A survey was developed to assess the topics of training that school staff felt would be most beneficial, as well as assessing staff awareness of school policies and personnel that impacted school safety. Representing 8 school regions in Virginia, 1,758 surveys were completed by administrators, full-time teachers, and counselors from secondary, middle, and alternative schools. The following training topics were rated as the most helpful: (1) identifying students in need of special services or assistance; (2) methods for diffusing disruptive and assaultive students; (3) identifying students at-risk for violent behavior; (4) identifying and avoiding at-risk situations; and (5) intervening with angry/abusive families. In addition, based on these findings the Evaluation Unit of the Department of Criminal Justice Services, Research Center suggests the following recommendations be considered: (1) the VCSS should consider providing training to address safety issues; (2) the VCSS should consider providing training to school staff on their school campuses; (3) the VCSS should consider reviewing existing school policies, identifying "best practice" policies, and providing training on these safety policies; (4) VCSS should consider developing and providing training and/or resources to improve communication among school staff regarding school safety; and (5) VCSS should consider developing and providing training to clarify the roles and responsibilities of School Resource Officers (SROs) and School Security Officers. Appendices A-D