School Safety Related Grant Programs
On June 28, 2022, Governor Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker Dade Phelan, Senate Finance Committee Chair Joan Huffman, and House Appropriations Chair Dr. Greg Bonnen announced $17.1 million in funding to TEA to distribute to school districts to purchase silent panic alert technology (SPAT). The purpose of these funds is to provide grant funds to local educational agencies (LEAs) to purchase silent panic alert technologies for campuses as a measure of school safety.
Further, on October 27, 2022, Governor Greg Abbott, Lt. Governor Patrick, Speaker Phelan, and House Appropriations Committee Chairs announced an additional $400 million in funding to TEA to "assist school districts in replacing or upgrading doors, windows, fencing, communications, and other safety measures."
The Department of Grant Compliance and Administration administers several school safety related grants listed below.
Resources and Quick Links
2022-2025 School Safety Standards Formula Grant
The purpose of the 2022-2025 School Safety Standards Formula Grant is to assist LEAs in meeting the new school safety standards and to include other security related costs like metal detectors, cameras, and monitoring tools such as those allowed under the school safety allotment SB50 school safety and security grant, and the silent panic alert technology grant. The purpose of these funds are to first allow LEAs to implement the new safety standards application to Chapter 61, Sub-chapter CC, 61.1031 of Commissioner's Rules.
Please visit TEA's Grant Opportunities page, and search for this grant by using the keywords "2022-2025 School Safety Standards Formula Grant".
2022-2024 Silent Panic Alert Technology (SPAT) Grant
To provide grant funds to local educational agencies (LEAs) to purchase silent panic alert technologies for campuses as a measure of school safety. Silent panic alert technology is generally defined as a silent system signal generated by the activation of a device, either manually or through software applications, intended to signal a life-threatening or emergency situation (such as an active shooter, intruder, or other emergency situation) requiring a response from law enforcement and/or other first responders.
Please visit TEA’s Grant Opportunities page, and search for this grant by using the keywords “SPAT” or “2022-2024 Silent Panic Alert Technology (SPAT) Grant”.
2019-2021 School Safety and Security Grant
$100,000,000 is appropriated to the Texas Education Agency to provide funding to public schools, including the School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the School for the Deaf for additional safety and security equipment (campus hardening) such as: (1) exterior doors with push bars; (2) metal detectors at school entrances; (3) erected vehicle barriers; (4) security systems that monitor and record school entrances, exits, and hallways; (5) campus-wide active shooter alarm systems that are separate from fire alarms; (6) two-way radio systems; (7) perimeter security fencing; (8) bullet-resistant glass or film for school entrances; and (9) door-locking systems.
Please visit TEA’s Grant Opportunities page, and search for this grant by using the keywords “2019-2021 School Safety and Security Grant”.
Grant Period and Amounts Awarded
| class="text-align-center">Grant Name | Grant Period | Total Amount Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| 2019-2021 School Safety and Security Grant | 01/01/2019 - 06/16/2023 | $100,000,000.00 |
| 2022-2024 Silent Panic Alert Technology (SPAT) Grant | 06/26/2022 - 06/30/2024 | $17,104,000.00 |
| 2022-2025 School Safety Standards Formula Grant | *06/01/2022 - 04/30/2025 | $400,000,000.00 |
*The pre-award period for the 2022-2025 Safety Standards Formula Grant was changed in Errata #1 which was posted on 02/02/2023.
For questions and additional information, email the following as appropriate:
2019-2021 School Safety and Security Grant
For questions regarding this grant program, please contact Nick Davis (nick.davis@tea.texas.gov).
2022-2024 Silent Panic Alert Technology
For questions regarding this grant program, please contact Nick Davis (nick.davis@tea.texas.gov).
2022-2025 School Safety Standards Formula Grant Program
For questions regarding this grant program, eligibility, application, or any other grant related questions please contact Nick Davis (nick.davis@tea.texas.gov).
For questions regarding the School Safety Standards rule and uses of funds for this grant please contact Brooks Straub (SafeSchools@tea.texas.gov).
For additional information on the ADC or grant application, contact your assigned negotiator listed on the Grant Administration Division Contacts page.