School Safety

Education news, analysis, and opinion about keeping students safe in the school building from bullying, violence, and environmental hazards, among other things

Explainer

Greeley Police Officer Steve Brown stands in the hallway during passing periods at Northridge High School in Greeley, Colo. on Oct. 21, 2016. While school resource officers, like Brown, are expected to handle responsibilities like any police officer they're faced with unique challenges working day-to-day in schools
School Resource Officers (SROs), Explained
Does the presence of armed officers prevent school violence? Do they contribute for Black children to the 'school to prison pipeline'?
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Security cameras are seen at ZeroEyes' greenscreen lab for testing and training artificial intelligence to spot visible guns on May 10, 2024, in Conshohocken, Pa.
ZeroEyes, a safety and security company that uses AI in its products, has a greenscreen lab, shown here on May 10, 2024, in Conshohocken, Pa., for testing and training artificial intelligence to spot visible guns.
Matt Slocum/AP
Artificial Intelligence AI in School Security: A New Tool with Big Questions
As school districts think about ways to enhance security, experts say leaders should think about costs and effectiveness.
Jennifer Igbonoba, August 14, 2025
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5 min read
Volunteer student actors are led out of a middle school building as the Fountain Police Department conducts a training exercise for law enforcement on June 9, 2017, in Fountain, Colo. A new consensus report recommends schools avoid tactics like realistic simulations or deception when conducting drills for students.
Volunteer student actors are led out of a middle school building as the Fountain Police Department conducts a training exercise for law enforcement on June 9, 2017, in Fountain, Colo. A new consensus report recommends schools avoid tactics like realistic simulations when conducting drills for students.
Dougal Brownlie/The Gazette via AP
Student Well-Being & Movement What Schools Should Do—and Avoid—When Planning Active Shooter Drills
Schools should conduct active shooter drills in a way that minimizes emotional and psychological harm, a new study says.
Evie Blad, August 13, 2025
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5 min read
Abbey Clements, of Newton, Conn., speaks during the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 22, 2024, in Chicago.
Abbey Clements, of Newton, Conn., speaks during the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 22, 2024, in Chicago. Clements co-founded an advocacy group, Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence, to amplify teachers' voices on issues like gun control.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
School Climate & Safety Sandy Hook Survivor: Teachers Need a Louder Voice in School Safety Debates
Aspiring teachers also need the opportunity to talk about gun violence during their time in college, Abbey Clements said.
Olina Banerji, July 28, 2025
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6 min read
The National Education Association choir sings before the union's annual representative assembly on July 3, 2025, in Portland, Ore.
Attendees of the National Education Association's 2025 representative assembly cheer during a speech by NEA President Becky Pringle on July 3, 2025, in Portland, Ore. Delegates voted on a wide range of measures, including some related to teacher safety, immigration, and cellphones.
Kaylee Domzalski/Education Week
Teaching Profession Trump Looms Large as the Nation's Largest Teachers' Union Sets Its Priorities
During its annual meeting, the NEA strategized about its response to federal education policies.
Sarah D. Sparks, July 6, 2025
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8 min read
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon listens to members of the Principal Recovery Network during their annual meeting on June 9, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon listens to members of the Principal Recovery Network during their annual meeting on June 9, 2025, in Washington.
Courtesy of Allyssa Hynes/NASSP
Education Funding Principals Urge Ed. Department: Leave School Safety Funding Alone
Schools need access to funds for mental health professionals and other student services, say principals who've experienced school shootings.
Olina Banerji, June 13, 2025
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5 min read
Tightly cropped photo of a mother or teacher holding holding a young elementary school boy's hands as they sit on school steps, offering comfort and support. The boy is wearing a bookbag.
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School & District Management From Our Research Center What Schools Do When Parents Don't Pick Up Their Kids
What schools do when parents don't pick up their kids can vary considerably, according to a new survey by the EdWeek Research Center.
Arianna Prothero, May 23, 2025
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3 min read
Image of two school buildings with cones, cameras.
Collage by Liz Yap for Education Week via Canva
School Choice & Charters Then & Now The Trump Admin. Is Reviving This School Choice Option You've Never Heard Of
A little-known provision allows students to transfer out of schools deemed "persistently dangerous." Choice advocates say it's been underused.
Evie Blad, May 21, 2025
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8 min read
Pictures of the Week North America Photo Gallery 23236807597084
Melissa Alvarez hugs her son, Ignacio, then 2, during a special session of the state legislature on public safety on Aug. 23, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn., following a deadly school shooting that March. New research drawing on scores of studies identifies some of the most important steps schools can take to stop violence on their campuses.
George Walker IV/AP
School Climate & Safety What Makes Schools Safe? Researchers Outline These 4 Key Recommendations
Researchers distilled dozens of studies to create practical school safety recommendations.
Evie Blad, May 7, 2025
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5 min read
School Climate & Safety Spotlight Spotlight on Enhancing School Safety and Emergency Response
This Spotlight will help you explore proactive measures and effective strategies for enhancing school safety and emergency response.
April 22, 2025
Photograph of crime scene tape and school.
F. Sheehan for Education Week / Getty
School Climate & Safety Leading a District After a School Shooting Is Hard. These Superintendents Want to Help
A network of superintendents who've led districts after school shootings plans to support colleagues recovering from similar crises.
Evie Blad, March 18, 2025
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4 min read
Illustration of Covid-19 impacting 3 years of school
Vanessa Solis/Education Week and Getty Images
School & District Management Infographic 9 Charts That Show the Lasting Effects of COVID on Schools
Key data on some of the move consequential changes, five years later.
Maya Riser-Kositsky, March 18, 2025
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3 min read
Local residents pray during a candlelight vigil following a shooting at Perry High School, on Jan. 4, 2024, in Perry, Iowa.
Local residents pray during a candlelight vigil following a shooting at Perry High School, on Jan. 4, 2024, in Perry, Iowa. The deaths in school shootings last year have led to new legislation in a half-dozen states.
Charlie Neibergall/AP
School Climate & Safety States Emphasize School Violence Prevention, Not Just Security
In the wake of school shootings in their states last year, legislators hope to avert future tragedies.
Evie Blad, February 14, 2025
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7 min read
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks at a news conference at the Capitol in Washington on March 6, 2021.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks at a news conference at the Capitol in Washington on March 6, 2021. He has criticized the Trump Administration's move in January 2025 to nix a school safety panel created by federal legisation.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Federal Schumer Tells Trump to Immediately Reinstate School Safety Board
Trump must immediately reinstate a federal school safety board, Schumer demanded.
Evie Blad, January 27, 2025
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2 min read
President-elect Donald Trump speaks at meeting of the House GOP conference, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington.
Donald Trump speaks at meeting of the House GOP conference, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington. He returned to the White House this week, taking a flurry of executive actions, some of which could affect schools.
Alex Brandon/AP
Federal Here Are Trump's First-Week Actions That Could Affect Schools
There's been a lot to keep track of during Trump's first week back in the White House. Here's how it all could affect schools.
Brooke Schultz, January 24, 2025
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8 min read
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