TxSSC
K-12 Standard Response Protocol Toolkit
1.1 SRP in a Nutshell
5 Actions
The Standard Response Protocol has specific staff and student actions that are unique to the action. In the event student or staff identifies the initial threat, calling 911 and administration is advised.
HOLD - "In Your Room or Area. Clear the halls"
Students are trained to:
- Clear the hallways and remain in your room until the “All Clear” is announced
- Do business as usual
Adults and Staff are trained to:
- Close and lock the door
- Account for students and adults
- Do business as usual
One Demand
The protocol also carries an obligation. Kids and teens are smart. An implicit part of the SRP is that authorities and teachers tell them what’s going on.
Certainly, tempered at the elementary school. But middle school and above needs accurate information for the greatest survivability, to minimize panic and to assist recovery.
Note: Student training includes preparation for some alternative methods during a tactical response but reinforces deference to local law enforcement.
“An implicit part of the SRP is that authorities and teachers tell the kids what's going on”
SECURE - "Get Inside. Lock Outside Doors."
Students are trained to:
- Return to inside of building
- Do business as usual
Adults and Staff are trained to:
- Bring everyone indoors
- Lock outside doors
- Increase situational awareness
- Account for students and adults
- Do business as usual
LOCKDOWN - "Locks, Lights, Out of Sight"
Students are trained to:
- Move away from sight
- Maintain silence
- Do not open the door
Adults and Staff are trained to:
- Recover students from hallway, if possible
- Lock classroom door
- Turn out the lights
- Move away from sight
- Maintain silence
- Do not open the door
- Prepare to evade or defend
The Duration of a Lockdown
A question that occasionally arises is "How long does it take to release a Lockdown?" The answer is, "That depends, but probably longer than you want to hear."
The Foundation has heard accounts of a Lockdown lasting for hours. In one case, a weapon report, the school was in Lockdown for over three hours. In another, an active shooter in the building, it took about an hour, after the issue was resolved, for law enforcement to clear the classrooms.
Some schools have created Lockdown kits. A five-gallon bucket, kitty litter, and a shower curtain to accommodate the potential of being unable to use a restroom.
EVACUATE - "To a Location"
Students are trained to:
- Leave stuff behind
- If possible, bring their phone (access to student personal communication devices is dependent on district procedures)
- Form a single file line
Adults and Staff are trained to:
- Bring roll sheet and Go Bag (unless instructed not to take anything with them…dependent on reason for evacuation.)
- Lead students to Evacuation location
- Account for students and adults
- Report injuries or problems using Red Card/Green Card method
What About Cell Phones?
In 2025, legislation was added regarding personal communication device use at school. The board of trustees of a school district or open-enrollment charter school shall adopt, implement, and ensure the district or school complies with a written policy prohibiting a student using a personal communication device on school property during the school day. The policy must establish disciplinary measures for violations. It outlines provisions for usage and limitations of the policy, and the Texas Education Agency shall develop and publish on their website model language for the policy.
SHELTER - "For Hazard Using a Safety Strategy"
Hazards might include:
- Tornado
- Hazmat
- Earthquake
- Tsunami
Safety Strategies might include:
- Evacuate to shelter area
- Seal the room
- Drop, cover and hold
- Get to high ground
Students are trained in:
- Appropriate hazards and safety strategies
Adults and Staff are trained in:
- Appropriate hazards and safety strategies
- Account for students and adults
- Report injuries or problems using Red Card/Green Card method.
About Shelter-in-Place
There is a long tradition of using the term "Shelter-in-Place" for a variety of hazards. While still in common use, the SRP suggests simply stating the hazard and providing a safety strategy.
A deep exploration of the FEMA website found over a dozen different scenarios where "Shelter-in-Place" was advised. Two of the most common were for Tornado or Hazmat. Very different actions would be taken for those hazards. A single directive, "Shelter-in-Place" doesn't provide the necessary information. "Tornado! Get to the storm shelter!" is more direct.
SRP Wall Posters
The K12 SRP Wall Posters were created by The "I Love U Guys" Foundation for you to print and place on your wall in order to remind everyone of the different SRP actions and allow teachers to start the conversation about SRP with their students.
Placing posters is an essential step in full implementation of the SRP. The classroom poster should be displayed in every classroom, near all entries, and near the entrances to cafeteria, auditorium and gym. The shelter hazards and safety strategies should be modified for local conditions. To download and print the K12 SRP Wall Poster please click the buttons below.
SRP Student Parent Handout V2
The K12 SRP Student Parent V2 Handout was created by The "I Love U Guys" Foundation for you to print and send home with your students in order to inform parents that your school is using the SRP and to educate parents on the protocol.
The Student Parent Handout is another useful tool in implementing the SRP. Many districts request that their schools send a copy home with students at the beginning of the school year and again prior to any planned drill.
It is also not uncommon to include the handout as an electronic attachment to email newsletters or safety related announcements. To download and print the K12 SRP Student Parent Handout V2 in your preferred language (if available) please click the buttons below.