Sniper Attacks Prompt District 'Lockdowns'

By Sean Cavanagh

In Washington-area schools coping with a sniper's threat, the responses have been quick, decisive—and strikingly similar. Within hours of the first shootings earlier this month, access to buildings was sharply restricted. Outdoor activities were brought inside or canceled. Movement through hallways was curtailed.

On school grounds spanning a huge swath of Maryland and Virginia counties outside Washington, the "lockdown" policies designed to protect students used slightly different terminology and procedures, but were well-coordinated and thorough, according to some of the country's top school safety experts.

In fact, those experts said they saw evidence of a new preparedness, in the wake of the Columbine shootings 31/2 years ago and the Sept. 11...