School Safety Resources
Educators across our state are committed to the safety of every student in the classroom and on their campuses. The Texas Education Agency shares that commitment and provides this listing of resources in support for achieving that goal.
Governor’s School Safety Correspondence
Governor’s Office News Releases
Governor Abbott Announces ALERRT Travel Assistance, Bullet-Resistant Shield Grant Program
Governor Greg Abbott today announced the Governor’s Public Safety Office (PSO) is accepting applications from law enforcement agencies for Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) travel assistance and the Bullet-Resistant Shield Grant Program for fiscal year 2023.
Governor Abbott, DPS Launch iWatchTexas PSA To Promote Reporting System
Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) today launched a public service announcement to promote awareness of the iWatchTexas community reporting system as teachers, students, and school faculty across the state return to school for the new school year.
Chief of School Security
Governor Abbott Directs TEA To Create New Chief Of School Safety And Security Position
iWatch
Governor Abbott Directs DPS, TEA, THECB To Expand And Accelerate Implementation Of iWatch Texas Program To Report Suspicious Activity
Safe and Secure Schools
Governor Abbott Directs TEA To Provide Strategies To Make Texas Public Schools Safer
Mental Health
Governor Abbott Directs HHSC To Ensure All Children In Uvalde Have Access To Behavioral Health Resources
School Safety Review
Governor Abbott Calls For Immediate School Safety Review Of Texas Public Schools
TEA Resources
To The Administrator Addressed (TAAs)
- iWatchTexas School Safety (TAA) Updated August 16, 2022
- School Safety Requirements and Information (TAA) Updated July 21, 2022
- Required School Safety Training for School District Trustees Now Available on TEA Learn (TAA) Updated July 21, 2022
- Required School Safety Action Steps This Summer (TAA) Updated June 30, 2022
- Extension of School Safety and Security Grant (TAA) Updated June 30, 2022
Audit Resources
- Exterior Door Safety Audit
- Campus-level Exterior Door Safety Audit Tracker (Excel) Updated June 30, 2022
- District-level Exterior Door Safety Audit Tracker (Excel) Updated June 30, 2022
- Weekly Exterior Door Sweeps
- Weekly Exterior Door Sweeps Webinar Recording (Video) Updated August 18, 2022
- Weekly Exterior Door Sweeps Webinar Deck (PDF) Updated August 12, 2022
- Campus-Level Weekly Exterior Door Sweep Tool (Excel) Updated August 18, 2022
- District-Level Weekly Exterior Door Sweep Tool (Excel) Updated July 21, 2022
- Summer Audit
- Summer Targeted Partial Safety Audit (Excel) Updated June 30, 2022
- Summer Safety Audit Webinar Recording (Video) Updated July 14, 2022
- Summer Safety Audit Webinar Deck (PDF) Updated July 14, 2022
Texas School Safety Center
The Texas School Safety Center at Texas State University serves as a central location for school safety information and provides schools with research, training, and technical assistance to reduce youth violence and promote safety in Texas.
- List of School Safety Recommendations to address before start of the 2022-2023 school year
- List of School Safety Recommendations to address before start of the 2018-2019 school year (PDF)
Training Opportunities
- Safety & Security Agreements Workshops
- Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) Training
- Standard Response Protocol/Standard Reunification Method Certified Trainer Workshops
- Threat Assessment Management Workshops
Additional School Safety Resources
- Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) – More information on School Marshal training
- Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) – More information on active shooter training
Mental Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- A Comprehensive Technical Package for the Prevention of Youth Violence and Associated Risk Behaviors (PDF)
- Preventing Youth Violence: Opportunities for Action (PDF)
- Connecting the Dots: An Overview of the Links Among Multiple Forms of Violence (PDF)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):
- The School Mental Health Referral Path (SMHRP) Toolkit (PDF)
- Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Summary (PDF)
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a free, evidence-based training available to all educators. MHFA is an 8-hour instructor led course, which teaches the general public about the signs and symptoms of mental illness and substance use disorders.
MHFA is free to teachers and any school district employee. Education Service Centers (ESCs) and Independent School Districts (ISDs) can contact the local mental health authority (LMHA) or local behavioral health authority (LBHA) in their areas and begin the process of scheduling training during June, July, and August 2018, and continue their efforts to train throughout Fiscal Year 2019. There is an MHFA coordinator at each LMHA/LBHA who can help schedule a training class.
To identify the LMHA/LBHA in your area, please visit: https://hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/mental-health-substance-use-resources/find-your-local-mental-health-or-behavioral-health-authority.
Access information for the LMHA/LBHA through the online search tool: http://www.dshs.texas.gov/mhservices-search/.
To download a copy of the crosswalk of Texas LMHA’s/LBHA and LEA, including the designated Mental Health First Aid Coordinator: Crosswalk of LMHA and TEA (PDF)
Infectious Diseases
Integrated Pest Management
Title 4 Agriculture, Part 1 Texas Department of Agriculture, Chapter 7 Pesticides, Subchapter H Structural Pest Control Service, Division 7 Integrated Pest Management Program for School Districts
- School Integrated Pest Management
- http://schoolipm.tamu.edu
- http://schoolipm.tamu.edu/more-information/who-to-contact
TAC 7.114 Definition of Terms
TAC 7.201 Responsibility of School Districts to Adopt an IPM Program
TAC 7.202 Responsibilities of the IPM Coordinator
TAC 7.203 Responsibilities of Certified Applicators and Licensed Technicians
TAC 7.204 Pesticide Use in School Districts
TAC 7.205 Incidental Use for Schools
Weather and Disaster Information
The Texas Education Agency provides a number of resources for school districts affected by extreme weather, natural disasters, or man-made disasters.