The Assessment Process

Kentucky Center for School Safety


Kentucky Center for School SafetyThe Assessment ProcessEnhancing Safe and Healthy Learning Environments


Kentucky Center for School SafetyHistory of Kentuckys Safety Assessment ProcessHow did this effort begin?

Who is Involved in this effort (and why)?


Kentucky Center for School SafetyThe Assessment (not audit) What is it?Independent examination of:School climateSchool culturePhysical plant

The assessment is strictly voluntaryThe assessment is advisory not supervisory


Kentucky Center for School SafetyWhat does the process involve?A written request from the SuperintendentConfirmation letter and surveys sent to school and district staffPrincipal contact (nurture the relationship)


Kentucky Center for School SafetyWhat does the process involve?Resource materials are sent to KCSS for review/analysis:Surveys of staff, students and parentsReview of Safe Schools Data ReportReview of District/School Code of Conduct (Handbook) & School RulesReview of District/School Emergency & Crisis Response protocols


Kentucky Center for School SafetyWhat does the process involve? Review Discipline and Safety Related Board PoliciesReview of Student Supervision Schedules & AssignmentsReview of Community Risk Factor Data Review of Workers Comp and Insurance Claims


Kentucky Center for School SafetyThe Day of the Site VisitArrive early stay the entire school dayObserve traffic patterns and bus drop-offObserve supervision patterns as students arrive and are dismissedConduct interviews (130 individuals)Observe lunch Experience lunchPhysical plant walk-through


Kentucky Center for School SafetyWhat is the process?Draft the preliminary report (on-site):CommendationsAreas of Mutual ConcernConsiderationsDebriefing OptionsPrincipal and invited others (after the school day)Preliminary report out to staff (same day)Comprehensive report out (one month later)


Kentucky Center for School SafetyThe ReportA comprehensive report will be sent to the Superintendent and Principal within a month:Safe Schools Assessment ReportKIDS Count DataSS Survey ReportsSafe School DataPhysical Plant Report


Kentucky Center for School SafetyMeeting with the Principal and staffFollow-up with Site-Based Council (if requested)Meeting with the Superintendent Follow-up with Board of Education (if requested)Meeting with the School Safety CoordinatorWrap around services (available upon request)Accountability and Follow-up


Kentucky Center for School SafetyHow are schools and districts using the assessment?A baseline for continual improvementAn objective needs assessment for the Comprehensive School Improvement PlanObjective data for grant writingObjective data upon which to base staff developmentA way to leverage additional wrap-around servicesPDS KDE recommendations


Kentucky Center for School SafetyHow has the assessment process been accepted?


Kentucky Center for School SafetySafe Schools Assessments 2003-2008Includes KY School for the Blind and KY School for the Deaf


Safe Schools Assessments FY 2009Includes KY School for the Blind and KY School for the Deaf

Kentucky Center for School SafetyKentucky Center for School SafetySafe School AssessmentsLegend Visits for FY03 10 Districts, 13 Schools Visits for FY04 11 Districts, 28 Schools Visits for FY05 32 Districts, 63 Schools Visits for FY06 32 Districts, 72 Schools Visits for FY07 39 Districts, 76 Schools Visits for FY08 44 Districts, 82 Schools Visits for FY09 23 Districts, 44 Schools Visits for FY10 31 Districts, 61 Schools

Safe Schools AssessmentsFY 2010


Safe Schools AssessmentsFY 2011Kentucky Center for School SafetyKentucky Center for School SafetySafe School AssessmentsLegend Visits for FY03 10 Districts, 13 Schools Visits for FY04 11 Districts, 28 Schools Visits for FY05 32 Districts, 63 Schools Visits for FY06 32 Districts, 72 Schools Visits for FY07 39 Districts, 76 Schools Visits for FY08 44 Districts, 82 Schools Visits for FY09 23 Districts, 44 Schools Visits for FY10 31 Districts, 61 Schools Visits for FY11 30 Districts, 58 Schools


Safe Schools AssessmentsFY 2012Kentucky Center for School SafetyKentucky Center for School SafetySafe School AssessmentsLegend Visits for FY03 10 Districts, 13 Schools Visits for FY04 11 Districts, 28 Schools Visits for FY05 32 Districts, 63 Schools Visits for FY06 32 Districts, 72 Schools Visits for FY07 39 Districts, 76 Schools Visits for FY08 44 Districts, 82 Schools Visits for FY09 23 Districts, 44 Schools Visits for FY10 31 Districts, 61 Schools Visits for FY11 27 Districts, 55 Schools Visits for FY12 45 Districts, 79 Schools


Kentucky Center for School SafetyCosts Associated with the Assessment processSchools

This is a free service to the school district (schools)Mailing of materials to the centerCopying of survey documents for distribution


Kentucky Center for School SafetySchools continue to be a Safe Place for kids to be!!!The process remains popular and is growingThe partnership between KCSS, KSBA and KDE continues to make sense

Lessons Learned



Lessons LearnedPrincipal buy in is criticalSampling of students, parents and staff does not always yield rich data resultsStaff/students want their voices and concerns to be heardWhen it comes to liability, a pro-active position is preferable



Lessons LearnedCommendationsStaff & Students reported feeling safe while at schoolMost students feel that they can confide in at least one significant adult **Staff feel comfortable that their safety concerns will be heard



Lessons LearnedCommendations

There is a common understanding of school rules and the consequences for breaking themSchools are trending toward a school-wide behavior management system (Instructional Discipline)Staff understand what is expected of them in terms of student supervisionStudents and staff routinely rehearse fire and severe weather protocols



Lessons LearnedCommendationsThere is an increased comfort level among students to report safety concernsSchools are clean and well maintained creating a sense of pride & connection


Kentucky Center for School SafetyLessons LearnedCommendations

Schools are beginning to distinguish between School Safety Plans and Crisis Response PlansMany schools have a formalized school safety committeeSchools are appreciative of follow-up or wrap- around services


Kentucky Center for School Safety Areas of Mutual Concerns(based upon surveys and interviews)Bullying and harassment remain a concern at all grade levelsPerception of Drug and Alcohol useThere remains a strong need for alternative options to suspension/expulsion


Kentucky Center for School SafetyLessons LearnedAreas of Mutual ConcernsConsistency Lack of consistent and proper supervision techniquesConsistency School rules or policy enforcementComplacency Dangerous Instruments/Weapons



Lessons LearnedAreas of Mutual ConcernsAccess Control Doors remain unlocked and open, negating a single point of entryTeacher Identification Staff routinely do not wear name tags as a means of identificationSurveillance Cameras are not monitored consistently. Doors and windows are coveredCell phones- Teachers and students rate cell phone abuse as a major problem. Lack of effective school board policies and inconsistent monitoring have contributed to this chronic problem.


Kentucky Center for School SafetyLessons LearnedAreas of Mutual ConcernsVisitor sign in Visitors often do not sign in or wear school specific identificationEmergency Management Schools often do not practice lockdown scenarios or coordinate response protocols with local law enforcement and local industrySchools are not designed or retro-fitted with safety/security as a primary concern


Kentucky Center for School SafetyHave we made Adequate Yearly Progress?


Kentucky Center for School SafetyHow does the team work?Be prepared understand the information that is sent to you prior to the visit survey resultsTeam Leader will brief you on the materials that were sent to the Center prior to the visitTeam Leader will provide you with a Draft report after the visit you are to critique and offer suggestions based upon your observationsThe team works as an extension of our collective agencies and/school districts.The team works as a unit


Kentucky Center for School SafetyTeam member expectationsRepresent yourself professionallyMake every attempt to honor your commitmentArrive on timeThis is truly an opportunity to help a school/districtExpect to have a full dayExpect to see things differently enjoy itExpect to be changed by the process


Kentucky Center for School SafetyContact Information

Jon Akers (KCSS): (877) 805-4277

Barbara Gateskill (KCSS): (877) 805-4277

Bill Scott (KSBA): (502) 695-4630


Documents

The Assessment Process