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The topic of this guide is School Safety in Public Schools. As a fourth grade teacher preparing for campus leadership, I have come to see school safety as more than just drills and procedures. It is about creating a learning environment where students feel protected and adults are prepared to act. In my role as a teacher, I have seen how important it is for every staff member to understand not only the expectations, but also the legal and ethical responsibilities tied to student safety. I want to be the kind of leader who prioritizes both prevention and preparedness while supporting staff in doing the same.

School safety has become a growing concern across the country, and as an educator, I have felt the weight of that reality. From participating in drills to helping students feel calm and secure, I have experienced the emotional and professional demands these situations create. I chose this topic because I believe educators deserve to feel informed and supported when it comes to intruder response protocols, district policies, and working with school resource officers. Knowing the law and how to apply it is essential for protecting students and staff in moments that matter most.

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At the federal level, the U.S. Department of Education oversees school safety through the Office of Safe and Supportive Schools (OSSS). This office provides national guidance on issues like emergency preparedness, school violence prevention, and mental health supports. One of its most widely used resources is the Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance Center, which offers planning tools for school crisis response, including intruder protocols and active shooter events. These resources help districts understand their responsibilities under civil rights laws and guide collaboration between schools and law enforcement. Federal accountability often comes through grant funding requirements and compliance with national safety standards.

In Texas, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) partners with the Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) to ensure schools meet state level safety expectations. TEA’s Safe and Supportive Schools Division requires all districts to submit emergency operations plans, complete annual audits, and document safety drills aligned with multi hazard planning. Texas Education Code §37 outlines legal obligations related to intruder detection, threat assessment teams, and coordination with local emergency services. The TxSSC also trains educators and law enforcement on best practices for school based crisis prevention and intervention.

Understanding how both federal and state agencies influence school safety has deepened my perspective as a future campus leader. These agencies are not just setting expectations. They are holding schools accountable for protecting students through structured planning, staff training, and transparency. Knowing the role these agencies play helps me see school safety as a shared responsibility, not just a checklist.

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Federal Law

One of the most relevant constitutional laws at the federal level is the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which includes the Due Process Clause (U.S. Const. amend. XIV). This provision ensures that students cannot be denied life, liberty, or property without fair procedures. In school safety situations, such as removing a student from campus, conducting a threat assessment, or implementing safety protocols, this amendment protects students’ rights by requiring that school decisions are justifiable, documented, and consistent with legal standards.

Guarantees due process protections for students

Requires fair and documented procedures when safety related actions are taken

Prevents schools from taking arbitrary actions that affect a student’s rights

Link to Full Text: https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/amendmentxiv

State Law

At the state level, Article 7, Section 1 of the Texas Constitution guarantees that all children in Texas have access to a free public education (Tex. Const. art. VII, § 1). While the article does not specifically mention safety, the obligation to provide meaningful access to education implies a duty to maintain safe and secure learning environments. If a school fails to protect students from threats or violence, it compromises their ability to learn. This provision lays the foundation for Texas lawmakers and agencies to create policies, like emergency operations planning and school safety audits, that ensure students are not just enrolled, but also protected.

Establishes the right to public education in Texas

Implies a duty for schools to maintain safe learning environments

Supports the legal foundation for state-level school safety policies and funding

Link to Full Text: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CN/htm/CN.7.htm

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Statue- HB 3

At the state level, House Bill 3, passed during the 88th Texas Legislature in 2023, introduced significant new requirements related to campus security and emergency response planning in public schools (Tex. H.B. 3, 88th Leg., Reg. Sess. (2023)). This statute mandates that each school district assign at least one armed security officer to every campus during regular school hours, which may include a school resource officer, school marshal, or commissioned peace officer. The bill also strengthens the requirements for Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs), mandates regular intruder detection audits, and expands TEA’s oversight authority for safety compliance. The intent of the law is to create a more proactive and consistent statewide approach to protecting students and staff.

Requires an armed security officer on every Texas public school campus

Mandates annual intruder detection audits

Requires districts to implement and regularly update Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs)

Increases TEA oversight for safety procedures and reporting

Link to Full Text: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf

Texas Administrative Code

In addition to legislative action, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) enforces administrative rules that support the implementation of House Bill 3. One of the most relevant is found in the Texas Administrative Code, Rule §103.1209, which outlines district responsibilities for submitting and maintaining Emergency Operations Plans (Tex. Admin. Code §103.1209). This rule requires districts to submit their Emergency Operations Plans to TEA annually and ensure the plans are updated to reflect evolving safety threats and procedures. It reinforces the agency’s authority to review, monitor, and guide district safety efforts while holding schools accountable for compliance.

Requires all districts to submit Emergency Operations Plans to TEA annually

Aligns directly with the requirements set forth in HB 3

Grants TEA authority to review, monitor, and guide district safety efforts

Holds schools accountable for preparedness and emergency planning

Link to Full Text:

https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/texas/19-Tex-Admin-Code-SS-103-1209

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A key federal case that continues to shape school safety practices is New Jersey v. T.L.O., 469 U.S. 325 (1985). In this case, a high school student’s belongings were searched by school officials after she was caught smoking in the restroom. The search revealed cigarettes, marijuana, and drug related items. The student argued that the search violated her Fourth Amendment rights. The Supreme Court ruled that school officials do not need a warrant or probable cause to search students. Instead, they must have reasonable suspicion. This decision is central to current school safety procedures, especially when school resource officers or administrators search backpacks, lockers, or other student belongings during a potential threat. The ruling has influenced countless safety related policies in schools and remains a foundational legal guideline when balancing safety with student privacy.

Established that school officials only need “reasonable suspicion” to search students

Provided legal support for SROs and administrators conducting safety related investigations

Clarified the limits of student privacy in the interest of campus safety

Continues to shape school policies regarding searches, especially in response to threats

Supports the legal framework behind HB 3’s emphasis on active response and supervision

Link to Full Text: https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/469/325

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The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal mandate that protects the privacy of student education records (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99). FERPA gives parents and eligible students the right to access and request corrections to education records and limits the disclosure of personally identifiable information without consent. However, FERPA includes important exceptions related to school safety. In the case of a health or safety emergency, school officials may disclose relevant student information to appropriate parties, including law enforcement, emergency responders, or medical personnel, without prior consent. This provision ensures that schools can act quickly and lawfully in critical situations involving potential threats or intruders. FERPA’s balance between privacy and emergency flexibility makes it an essential component of legal compliance in school safety planning.

Protects the privacy of student education records in all federally funded schools

Grants parents and eligible students the right to review and request corrections to records

Restricts disclosure of student information without written consent

Allows exceptions in cases of health or safety emergencies involving students or others

Guides schools in how to share records with law enforcement or SROs during crisis situations

Link to Full Text: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/subtitle-A/part-99

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San Angelo ISD follows guidance from the Texas School Safety Center and operates a district wide Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), with each campus maintaining its own site specific Campus Emergency Management Plan. These plans are reviewed and updated regularly by school staff and administrators in collaboration with local law enforcement, fire officials, and first responders. The district also uses the Standard Response Protocol with actions like lockdown, secure, and evacuate across all schools. These measures help ensure that intruder protocols, safety drills, and campus security align with state and federal requirements (San Angelo ISD Safety & Security, n.d.).

Requires each campus to have a tailored Emergency Operations Plan

Mandates coordination with police, fire, and city emergency management

Standardizes safety procedures using the Standard Response Protocol (SRP)

Includes regular safety audits and staff training

Aligns local procedures with House Bill 3 and TEA compliance expectations

Link to Full Text: https://www.saisd.org/departments/safe-environments/safety-and-security

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Conduct annual intruder response drills and tabletop planning exercises in partnership with local law enforcement to ensure that staff understand roles, communication procedures, and emergency actions. These drills help reduce confusion and delay during real incidents, which directly impacts student safety and legal liability (U.S. Department of Education, 2013).

Establish clearly defined and publicly communicated campus access protocols, such as requiring all visitors to check in at the office and wear identification badges. Access control is a critical first step in reducing the likelihood of unauthorized individuals entering the building (Texas School Safety Center, 2023).

Provide annual training for all staff on the Standard Response Protocol (SRP), including lockdown, secure, and evacuate procedures, as well as FERPA exceptions for emergency communication. When staff are well trained, they are more likely to make legally sound, timely decisions that reduce both physical risk and exposure to liability (San Angelo ISD Safety & Security, n.d.).

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A core ethical standard that aligns with school safety responsibilities is found in the Texas Educators’ Code of Ethics, Standard 1.10, which states that educators “shall be of good moral character and be worthy to instruct or supervise the youth of this state” (19 Tex. Admin. Code § 247.2). This principle reminds school personnel that leadership is not just legal, it is ethical. When educators take their safety responsibilities seriously, participate in emergency planning, and advocate for secure environments, they are demonstrating moral character and professional accountability. Choosing to act with courage and clarity in a crisis, or even in preparing for one, reflects the kind of integrity that this standard calls for.

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Understanding the legal and ethical responsibilities tied to school safety has shifted the way I view leadership. This assignment helped me realize that policies like House Bill 3 are not just boxes to check, but to make sure we are truly prepared to protect the students and staff entrusted to our care. I recognize that strong school leaders must have both the knowledge and the courage to act in ways that uphold the law and their ethical duty.

I feel more confident in my ability to lead through challenging situations because I know what the law expects and how it connects to doing what is right. These standards give me a stronger foundation to advocate for safe, responsive schools. Moving forward, I want to lead with clarity, compassion, and a deep understanding of how policy translates into protection.

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Ensure that each campus has a regularly updated Emergency Operations Plan that is aligned with TEA requirements and includes site specific safety protocols

Conduct intruder response drills and lockdown simulations at least once per semester, with debriefing sessions for all staff involved

Collaborate closely with local law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency services to review response timelines and adjust plans as needed

Clearly define and enforce campus access control procedures (visitor sign in, locked doors, ID badges) to limit unauthorized entry

Train all school staff annually on the Standard Response Protocol and their specific roles during a crisis

Include FERPA exceptions in safety training so staff understand when and how they may legally share information during emergencies

Designate a safety point person or campus crisis team to oversee drills, compliance, and documentation

Communicate safety expectations and emergency plans clearly with families and students to build trust and transparency

Routinely review and revise board policy and campus level procedures to ensure alignment with House Bill 3 and Texas Administrative Code

Create a culture of shared responsibility where staff feel empowered to report safety concerns and advocate for campus improvements