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Best Practices for Safety in Portable Buildings
Resource
As required by the 86th Texas Legislature and SB 11, the following resource outlines safety and security best practices developed to assist schools in ensuring student safety and the safety of all persons, in portable buildings used for instruction. In the context of this resource, “best practices” are considered to be those actions or techniques that have been tested through experience and/or research and have been demonstrated to be efficient and effective ways of accomplishing the task or goal. (View the resource…)
Behavioral Threat Assessment Model Policies and Procedures
Resource
As required by the 86th Texas Legislature and SB 11, the Texas School Safety Center, in coordination with the Texas Education Agency, has developed model policies and procedures to assist school districts in establishing and training threat assessment teams now mandated by TEC Sec. 37.220. The following model policies and procedures are consistent with the requirements of TEC 37.115 and reflect research-based best practices.
View the Policies and Procedures
TEA School Safety and Security Grant Application Available
Grant Funds
TEA has made the application for $100 million in grant funds appropriated in SB 500 available. The grant awards can be used for safety-related improvements to school facilities and the application due date is January 22, 2020. You can access the potential award amounts and grant application at the TEA Grant Opportunities site, by selecting 2019-2021 School Safety and Security Grant as the Application Name. More information about this grant opportunity can be found in the TEA Program Guidelines.
Training, Drilling, and Exercising Toolkit: Drill Recommedations
Tool Update
The passage of Senate Bill 11 by the 86th Texas Legislature added chapter 37.114 to the Texas Education Code. This new section addresses emergency evacuations and mandatory school drills for public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools. As required by this new section, the Texas School Safety Center has made recommendations to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for drill requirements. TEA will publish the final rules in June 2020.
View the Drill Recommendations
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Recent Articles
A Season of Service: Service-Learning Projects Strengthen Student and Teacher Outcomes
November 2019
For many, the holidays represent a season for giving and spending time with family and friends. We emphasize selflessness and giving to those in need during the holiday season. Incorporating this same spirit into the classroom through service-learning projects benefits both recipients and students. Student service learning refers to learning that actively involves students in experiences that often benefit others and the community while also supplementing the curriculum through experiential learning and reflection. (Read more…)
Engage and Empower Students for a Stellar School Year
September 2019
Wouldn’t it be great to bottle that “fresh start” feeling that launches each new school year so you could spike the cafeteria’s chocolate milk cartons with it when student engagement begins to lag? Authentically centering student voice and engaging youth in participation projects could be the answer. We know that student perceptions and student input are inextricably linked to providing a safe campus climate. Since linking student voice and engagement is an abstract idea, let’s look at recent research to make it more concrete. (Read more…)
The Expansion of E-Cigs: Legal Ramifications, Health Concerns, and Prevention
August 2019
A variety of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are available to the public. However, electronic cigarettes generally consist of a heating element, a power source, and liquid. Electronic cigarette liquids commonly contain propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, nicotine, and flavoring. The electronic cigarette liquids produce a vapor when heated, which is inhaled by the user. (Read more…)