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

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

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

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. Kentucky Center for School Safety The Report 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

10. Kentucky Center for School Safety Meeting with the Principal and staff Follow-up with Site-Based Council (if requested) Meeting with the Superintendent Follow-up with Board of Education (if requested) Meeting with the School Safety Coordinator Wrap around services (available upon request) Accountability and Follow-up

11. Kentucky Center for School Safety How are schools and districts using the assessment? A baseline for continual improvement An objective “needs assessment” for the Comprehensive School Improvement Plan Objective data for grant writing Objective data upon which to base staff development A way to leverage additional “wrap-around” services PDS – KDE recommendations

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

13. Kentucky Center for School Safety Safe Schools Assessments Kentucky Center for School Safety Safe School Assessments Legend Visits for FY 03- 10 Districts, 13 Schools Includes KY School for the Blind and KY School for the Deaf

14. Kentucky Center for School Safety Safe Schools Assessments 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 Includes KY School for the Blind and KY School for the Deaf

15. Kentucky Center for School Safety Safe Schools Assessments 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 Includes KY School for the Blind and KY School for the Deaf

16. Kentucky Center for School Safety Safe Schools Assessments 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 Includes KY School for the Blind and KY School for the Deaf

17. Kentucky Center for School Safety Safe Schools Assessments 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

18. Kentucky Center for School Safety Safe Schools Assessments 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 – 44 Districts, 82 Schools Includes KY School for the Blind and KY School for the Deaf

19. Safe Schools Assessments 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. Safe Schools Assessments 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

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

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

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

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

27. Kentucky Center for School Safety Lessons Learned…“Commendations” There 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) Staff understand what is expected of them in terms of “student supervision” Students and staff routinely rehearse fire and severe weather protocols

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

29. 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

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

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

32. Kentucky Center for School Safety Lessons Learned “Areas of Mutual Concerns” Access Control – Doors remain unlocked and open, negating a single point of entry Teacher Identification – Staff routinely do not wear name badges as a means of identification 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.

33. Kentucky Center for School Safety Lessons Learned “Areas of Mutual Concerns” Visitor 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 industry Schools are not designed or retro-fitted with safety/security as a primary concern

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

51. Kentucky Center for School Safety How does the team work? Be prepared – understand the information that is sent to you prior to the visit – survey results Team Leader will brief you on the materials that were sent to the Center – prior to the visit Team Leader will provide you with a “Draft” report after the visit – you are to critique and offer suggestions based upon your observations The team works as an extension of our collective agencies and/school districts. The team works as a unit

52. Kentucky Center for School Safety Team member expectations Represent yourself professionally Make every attempt to honor your commitment Arrive on time This is truly an opportunity to help a school/district Expect to have a full day Expect to see things differently – enjoy it Expect to be changed by the process

53. Questions/Comments??

54. Contact information Jon Akers, Director Kentucky Center for School Safety 111 Stratton Building Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY 40475 877-805-4277 859-314-6146 (cell) jon.akers@ eku.edu