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

Kentucky Center for School Safety

The Assessment Process

Enhancing

Safe and Healthy

Learning Environments


History of Kentucky’s Safety Assessment Process

How did this effort begin?

Who is Involved in this effort (and why)?


The Assessment (not audit) – What is it?

Independent examination of:School climateSchool culturePhysical plant

The assessment is strictly voluntary

The assessment is advisory – not supervisory


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)



4. Resource materials are sent to KCSS for review/analysis:

a. Surveys of staff, students and parentsb. Review of Safe Schools Data Reportc. Review of District/School Code of Conduct

(Handbook) & School Rulesd. Review of District/School Emergency &

Crisis Response protocols



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


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


What is the process?

Draft the preliminary report (on-site):CommendationsAreas of Mutual ConcernConsiderations

Debriefing OptionsPrincipal and invited others (after the

school day)Preliminary report out to staff (same day)Comprehensive report out (one month

later)


The Report

A comprehensive report will be sent to the Superintendent and Principal within a month:Safe Schools Assessment ReportKIDS Count DataSS Survey ReportsSafe School DataPhysical Plant Report


Meeting with the Principal and staffFollow-up with Site-Based Council (if requested)

Meeting with the Superintendent Follow-up with Board of Education (if requested)

Meeting with the School Safety CoordinatorWrap around services (available upon request)

Accountability and Follow-up


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 writingObjective data upon which to

base staff developmentA way to leverage additional

“wrap-around” servicesPDS – KDE recommendations


How has the assessment process been accepted?


Safe Schools Assessments


Safe School Assessments

Legend

Visits for FY 03- 10 Districts, 13 Schools

Includes KY School for the Blind and KY School for the Deaf


Safe Schools Assessments Kentucky Center for School Safety


Legend







Legend

Visits for FY 03 - 10 Districts, 13 Schools


Visits for FY05 – 32 Districts, 63 Schools






Legend









Legend

Visits for FY 03 – 10 Districts, 13 Schools









Legend











Legend








Visits for FY10 ‒ 31 Districts, 61 Schools






Legend









Visits for FY11 ‒30 Districts, 58 Schools





Legend












Costs Associated with the Assessment process

Schools

This is a free service to the school district (schools)Mailing of materials to the centerCopying of survey documents for

distribution


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


Lessons Learned

Principal “buy in” is criticalSampling of students, parents and staff does

not always yield rich data resultsStaff/students want their voices and concerns

to be heardWhen it comes to liability, a pro-active

position is preferable


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


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



There is an “increased comfort level” among students to report safety concerns

Schools are clean and well maintained – creating a sense of pride & connection



• Schools are beginning to distinguish between “School Safety Plans” and “Crisis Response Plans”

• Many schools have a “formalized” school safety committee

• Schools are appreciative of follow-up or “wrap- around” services


“Areas of Mutual Concerns”(based upon surveys and interviews)

Bullying and harassment remain a concern at all grade levels

Perception of Drug and Alcohol useThere remains a strong need for

alternative options to suspension/expulsion


Lessons Learned“Areas of Mutual Concerns”

Consistency – Lack of consistent and proper supervision techniques

Consistency – School “rules” or policy enforcement

Complacency – Dangerous Instruments/Weapons



Access Control – Doors remain unlocked and open, negating a single point of entryTeacher Identification – Staff routinely do not wear name badges as a means of

identificationCell 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.



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


Have we made “Adequate Yearly Progress?”


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


Team member expectations

Represent yourself professionallyMake every attempt to honor your

commitmentArrive on timeThis is truly an opportunity to help a

school/districtExpect to have a full dayExpect to see things differently – enjoy itExpect to be changed by the process

Questions/Comments??

Contact informationJon Akers, Director

Kentucky Center for School Safety111 Stratton Building

Eastern Kentucky UniversityRichmond, KY 40475

877-805-4277859-314-6146 (cell)jon.akers@ eku.edu

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

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