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.

Guidance

The School Shooter: A Threat Assessment Perspective

Department of Justice

This guidance references a conference of educational, law enforcement, and mental health experts following the 1999 attack at Columbine High School. This guidance aims to assist in the prevention of school shootings.

Report

Threat Assessment in Schools: A Guide to Managing Threatening Situations and to Creating Safe School Climates

Department of Education, and Department of Homeland Security

This report provides a process for identifying, assessing, and managing students who may pose a threat of targeted violence in schools.

Guidance

If You See Something, Say Something Campaign

Department of Homeland Security

This guidance informs schools of the indicators of terrorism and terrorism-related crime, as well as the importance of reporting suspicious activity to state and local law enforcement.