A task force, charged with uncovering weaknesses in existing security school systems in Knox County, Tennessee, developed a checklist survey and sent it to each of the 85 building principals. Displays some of the questions but advises involving community members in the process of creating a security survey. (MLF)

As violence in school increases, administrators need to assess school security and take steps to make it effective. School employers must have an understanding of student discipline policies for any security system to work. A security assessment should examine such issues as policies and procedure, school sites, school security staff, and…

Currently, there is no standardized level of training for school security officers. Recommends training that includes 40 hours of training before assuming a security assignment, plus an additional 40 hours each year of on-the-job training. Security people should be self-motivated. (MLF)

School boards have legal responsibility and liability for crowd control at extracurricular events. Board policies should cover supervision, rules, and various legal liabilities involving different crowd-control personnel, including school employees, on- and off-duty police, hired guards, and parent volunteers. Twelve guidelines are suggested for…

The widespread use of weapons by teenagers has prompted forceful responses from school districts. Some have installed sophisticated security equipment; others increasingly are arming their security guards. (MLF)