As Alert Issued, Schools Urged To Review Security

By Darcia Harris Bowman & Michelle Galley

Top security experts are advising schools to review and practice their crisis plans and to communicate emergency procedures to parents and students in response to this month's warning to the nation of an increased chance of terrorist attacks.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security raised its terror-threat alert on Feb. 7 from yellow to orange to warn the public of a "high risk" of attacks on U.S. targets here and abroad in the coming weeks. The highest state of alert is red.

"We encourage every school—regardless of whether the alert is yellow, orange, or red—to have a plan for all types of events that might occur, so when the government goes to [a higher state of alert], schools are prepared," said William Modzeleski, the director of the U.S. Department...