Kentucky Center for School Safety KENTUCKY ASSOCIATION for SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS 2 nd Annual Law Symposium June 7, 2012 University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky

Kentucky Center for School Safety The Assessment Process Enhancing Safe and Healthy Learning Environments

Determining what’s hot? We listen to what’s happening across the nationWe listen to what’s happening across the nation We listen to what principals and superintendents are telling usWe listen to what principals and superintendents are telling us We constantly monitor news servicesWe constantly monitor news services We conduct safe school assessmentsWe conduct safe school assessments So…what are some of the common problems that schools in Kentucky face??So…what are some of the common problems that schools in Kentucky face?? Kentucky Center for School Safety

What’s coming up… I will briefly review:I will briefly review: a. Safe School Assessment process a. Safe School Assessment process b. review the common accommodations b. review the common accommodations c. review common areas of concern among our schools in our state. c. review common areas of concern among our schools in our state. d. what principals and superintendents say about the Safe School Assessment process. d. what principals and superintendents say about the Safe School Assessment process. Kentucky Center for School Safety

History of Kentucky’s Safety Assessment Process How did this effort begin?How did this effort begin? Who is Involved in this effort (and why)?Who is Involved in this effort (and why)?

Kentucky Center for School Safety The Assessment (not audit) – What is it? Independent examination of:Independent examination of: –School climate –School culture –Physical plant The assessment is strictly voluntaryThe assessment is strictly voluntary The assessment is advisory – not supervisoryThe assessment is advisory – not supervisory

Kentucky Center for School Safety What does the process involve? 1.A written request from the Superintendent 2.Confirmation letter and surveys sent to school and district staff 3.Principal contact (nurture the relationship)

Kentucky Center for School Safety What does the process involve? 4.Resource materials are sent to KCSS for review/analysis: a.Surveys of staff, students and parents b.Review of Safe Schools Data Report c.Review of District/School Code of Conduct (Handbook) & School Rules d.Review of District/School Emergency & Crisis Response protocols

Kentucky Center for School Safety What does the process involve? e.Review Discipline and Safety Related Board Policies f.Review of Student Supervision Schedules & Assignments g.Review of Community Risk Factor Data h.Review of Workers Comp and Insurance Claims

Kentucky Center for School Safety The Day of the Site Visit 5.Arrive early – stay the entire school day –Observe traffic patterns and bus drop-off –Observe supervision patterns as students arrive and are dismissed –Conduct interviews (130 individuals) –Observe lunch – Experience lunch –Physical plant walk-through

Kentucky Center for School Safety What is the process? Draft the preliminary report (on-site):Draft the preliminary report (on-site): –Commendations –Areas of Mutual Concern –Considerations Debriefing OptionsDebriefing Options –Principal and invited others (after the school day) –Preliminary report out to staff (same day) –Comprehensive report out (one month later)

Kentucky Center for School Safety The Report A comprehensive report will be sent to the Superintendent and Principal within a month:A comprehensive report will be sent to the Superintendent and Principal within a month: –Safe Schools Assessment Report –KIDS Count Data –SS Survey Reports –Safe School Data –Physical Plant Report

Kentucky Center for School Safety How has the assessment process been accepted?

Kentucky Center for School Safety Safe Schools Assessments FY03 Kentucky Center for School Safety Safe School Assessments Legend Visits for FY Districts, 13 Schools Includes KY School for the Blind and KY School for the Deaf

Kentucky Center for School Safety Safe Schools Assessments FY04 Kentucky Center for School Safety Safe School Assessments Legend Visits for FY Districts, 13 Schools Visits for FY Districts, 28 Schools Includes KY School for the Blind and KY School for the Deaf

Kentucky Center for School Safety Safe Schools Assessments FY05 Kentucky Center for School Safety Safe School Assessments Legend Visits for FY Districts, 13 Schools Visits for FY Districts, 28 Schools Visits for FY05 – 32 Districts, 63 Schools Includes KY School for the Blind and KY School for the Deaf

Kentucky Center for School Safety Safe Schools Assessments FY06 Kentucky Center for School Safety Safe School Assessments Legend Visits for FY Districts, 13 Schools Visits for FY Districts, 28 Schools Visits for FY05 – 32 Districts, 63 Schools Visits for FY06 – 32 Districts, 72 Schools Includes KY School for the Blind and KY School for the Deaf

Kentucky Center for School Safety Safe Schools Assessments FY07 Kentucky Center for School Safety Safe School Assessments Legend Visits for FY 03 – 10 Districts, 13 Schools Visits for FY 04 – 11 Districts, 28 Schools Visits for FY05 – 32 Districts, 63 Schools Visits for FY06 – 32 Districts, 72 Schools Visits for FY07 – 39 Districts, 76 Schools Includes KY School for the Blind and KY School for the Deaf

Kentucky Center for School Safety Safe Schools Assessments FY08 Kentucky Center for School Safety Safe School Assessments Legend Visits for FY 03 – 10 Districts, 13 Schools Visits for FY 04 – 11 Districts, 28 Schools Visits for FY05 – 32 Districts, 63 Schools Visits for FY06 – 32 Districts, 72 Schools Visits for FY07 – 39 Districts, 76 Schools Visits for FY08 – 35 Districts, 68 Schools Includes KY School for the Blind and KY School for the Deaf

Safe Schools Assessments FY 2009 Kentucky Center for School Safety Safe School Assessments Legend Visits for FY03 – 10 Districts, 13 Schools Visits for FY04 – 11 Districts, 28 Schools Visits for FY05 – 32 Districts, 63 Schools Visits for FY06 – 32 Districts, 72 Schools Visits for FY07 – 39 Districts, 76 Schools Visits for FY08 – 44 Districts, 82 Schools Visits for FY09 – 23 Districts, 44 Schools Includes KY School for the Blind and KY School for the Deaf

Kentucky Center for School Safety Safe School Assessments Legend Visits for FY03 – 10 Districts, 13 Schools Visits for FY04 – 11 Districts, 28 Schools Visits for FY05 – 32 Districts, 63 Schools Visits for FY06 – 32 Districts, 72 Schools Visits for FY07 – 39 Districts, 76 Schools Visits for FY08 – 44 Districts, 82 Schools Visits for FY09 – 23 Districts, 44 Schools Visits for FY10 ‒ 31 Districts, 61 Schools Safe Schools Assessments FY 2010

Safe Schools Assessments FY 2011 Kentucky Center for School Safety Safe School Assessments Legend Visits for FY03 – 10 Districts, 13 Schools Visits for FY04 – 11 Districts, 28 Schools Visits for FY05 – 32 Districts, 63 Schools Visits for FY06 – 32 Districts, 72 Schools Visits for FY07 – 39 Districts, 76 Schools Visits for FY08 – 44 Districts, 82 Schools Visits for FY09 – 23 Districts, 44 Schools Visits for FY10 ‒ 31 Districts, 61 Schools Visits for FY11 ‒ 30 Districts, 58 School s

Safe Schools Assessments FY 2012 Kentucky Center for School Safety Safe School Assessments Legend Visits for FY03 – 10 Districts, 13 Schools Visits for FY04 – 11 Districts, 28 Schools Visits for FY05 – 32 Districts, 63 Schools Visits for FY06 – 32 Districts, 72 Schools Visits for FY07 – 39 Districts, 76 Schools Visits for FY08 – 44 Districts, 82 Schools Visits for FY09 – 23 Districts, 44 Schools Visits for FY10 ‒ 31 Districts, 61 Schools Visits for FY11 ‒ 27 Districts, 55 Schools Visits for FY12 – 50 Districts, 85 Schools

Kentucky Center for School Safety Costs Associated with the Assessment process Schools This is a free service to the school district (schools)This is a free service to the school district (schools) –Mailing of materials to the center –Copying of survey documents for distribution

Kentucky Center for School Safety Schools continue to be a “Safe Place” for kids to be!!!Schools continue to be a “Safe Place” for kids to be!!! The process remains popular and is growingThe process remains popular and is growing The partnership between KCSS, KSBA and KDE continues to make senseThe partnership between KCSS, KSBA and KDE continues to make sense KDE KSBA KCSS Lessons Learned

Kentucky Center for School Safety Lessons Learned Principal “buy in” is criticalPrincipal “buy in” is critical Sampling of students, parents and staff does not always yield rich data resultsSampling of students, parents and staff does not always yield rich data results Staff/students want their voices and concerns to be heardStaff/students want their voices and concerns to be heard When it comes to liability, a pro-active position is preferableWhen it comes to liability, a pro-active position is preferable

Kentucky Center for School Safety Lessons Learned “Commendations” Staff & Students reported feeling safe while at schoolStaff & Students reported feeling safe while at school Most students feel that they can confide in at least one significant adult **Most students feel that they can confide in at least one significant adult ** Staff feel comfortable that their safety concerns will be heardStaff feel comfortable that their safety concerns will be heard

Kentucky Center for School Safety Lessons Learned “Commendations” There is a common understanding of school rules and the consequences for breaking themThere is a common understanding of school rules and the consequences for breaking them Schools are trending toward a “school-wide” behavior management system (Instructional Discipline)Schools are trending toward a “school-wide” behavior management system (Instructional Discipline) Staff understand what is expected of them in terms of “student supervision”Staff understand what is expected of them in terms of “student supervision” Students and staff routinely rehearse fire and severe weather protocolsStudents and staff routinely rehearse fire and severe weather protocols

Kentucky Center for School Safety Lessons Learned “Commendations” There is an “increased comfort level” among students to report safety concernsThere is an “increased comfort level” among students to report safety concerns Schools are clean and well maintained – creating a sense of pride & connectionSchools are clean and well maintained – creating a sense of pride & connection

Kentucky Center for School Safety Lessons Learned “Commendations” Schools are beginning to distinguish between “School Safety Plans” and “Crisis Response Plans”Schools are beginning to distinguish between “School Safety Plans” and “Crisis Response Plans” Many schools have a “formalized” school safety committeeMany schools have a “formalized” school safety committee Schools are appreciative of follow-up or “wrap- around” servicesSchools are appreciative of follow-up or “wrap- around” services

Kentucky Center for School Safety “Areas of Mutual Concerns” ( based upon surveys and interviews) “Areas of Mutual Concerns” ( based upon surveys and interviews) Bullying and harassment remain a concern at all grade levelsBullying and harassment remain a concern at all grade levels Perception of Drug and Alcohol usePerception of Drug and Alcohol use There remains a strong need for alternative options to suspension/expulsionThere remains a strong need for alternative options to suspension/expulsion

Kentucky Center for School Safety Lessons Learned “Areas of Mutual Concerns” Consistency – Lack of consistent and proper supervision techniquesConsistency – Lack of consistent and proper supervision techniques Consistency – School “rules” or policy enforcementConsistency – School “rules” or policy enforcement Complacency – Dangerous Instruments/WeaponsComplacency – Dangerous Instruments/Weapons

Kentucky Center for School Safety Lessons Learned “Areas of Mutual Concerns” Access Control – Doors remain unlocked and open, negating a single point of entryAccess Control – Doors remain unlocked and open, negating a single point of entry Teacher Identification – Staff routinely do not wear name tags as a means of identificationTeacher Identification – Staff routinely do not wear name tags as a means of identification Surveillance – Cameras are not monitored consistently. Doors and windows are coveredSurveillance – Cameras are not monitored consistently. Doors and windows are covered Cell phones- Teachers and students rate cell phone abuse as a major problem. Lack of effective school board policies and inconsistent monitoring have contributed to this chronic problem.Cell phones- Teachers and students rate cell phone abuse as a major problem. Lack of effective school board policies and inconsistent monitoring have contributed to this chronic problem.

Kentucky Center for School Safety Lessons Learned “Areas of Mutual Concerns” Visitor sign in – Visitors often do not sign in or wear “school specific” identificationVisitor sign in – Visitors often do not sign in or wear “school specific” identification Emergency Management – Schools often do not practice “lockdown” scenarios or coordinate response protocols with local law enforcement and local industryEmergency Management – Schools often do not practice “lockdown” scenarios or coordinate response protocols with local law enforcement and local industry Schools are not designed or retro- fitted with safety/security as a primary concernSchools are not designed or retro- fitted with safety/security as a primary concern

Kentucky Center for School Safety Have we made “Adequate Yearly Progress?”

Kentucky Center for School Safety

Contact Information Jon Akers (KCSS): (877) Barbara Gateskill (KCSS): (877) Bill Scott (KSBA): (502)

Questions, Comments & Contact Jon Akers, Executive Director Kentucky Center for School Safety 111Stratton Building Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, Kentucky Kentucky Center for School Safety