An effective threat assessment team is a critical component of keeping schools safe and is recognized as a best practice for preventing school violence. Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools are required by law to have a Safe and Supportive School Program (SSSP) team, commonly referred to as the threat assessment team, assigned to them. School behavioral threat assessment and management is a proactive and evidence-based approach for identifying people who may pose a threat and for providing interventions before a violent incident occurs.

The board of trustees of each school district is responsible for establishing a team to serve each campus of the district. A team may serve more than one campus, but each campus must have a team assigned to it. School behavioral threat assessment involves analyzing harmful, threatening, and violent behavior; assessing threat and risk levels; and determining appropriate interventions. Texas Education Code 37.115(a) lists dating violence, bullying, cyberbullying, verbal threats, threats of self-harm, use or possession of a weapon, sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, and assault as examples of “harmful, threatening, or violent” behaviors. Depending on the situation, dating violence may also be considered harassment, bullying, or cyberbullying.

“Dating violence is a school safety issue.”

Dating violence is a school safety issue. As school safety is a shared responsibility, you play an important role in keeping your school safe and free from violence. If you are not aware of who is on the SSSP team that serves your campus or how to report a concern to the team, speak with your supervisor or an administrator.