Safe and Healthy Schools, Tex. S.B. 11, 86th R., ch. 464, 2019. https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/86R/billtext/html/SB00011F.HTM

Walker, D. R., & Sampson, P. M. (2018). Active shooter events: The guardian plan. School Leadership Review, 13(1), 71-76.  

Best practices include:

•The implementation of the Guardian Program.

•The development of an Emergency Response Database and Safety Audit Programs.

•The training and support in specific crisis response and non-violent intervention techniques including classroom management and staff responsibilities during a crisis.

An emerging issue concerning campus carry educators should anticipate is to obey and follow their required safety responsibilities and part during a crisis as stated within new enforced legislation. The school counselor creates the necessary committees, the plans or programs for guidance and support, and the needed practice or awareness ensuring common understanding among all stakeholders. Identification of behavior patterns and warnings is everyone's responsibility as a prevention measure. Cervantez promotes collaboration and awareness of current events, of new legislation, and of self-motivation to protect oneself and others (T. Cervantez, personal communication, July 13, 2022).    

Taylor Cervantez, Ozona Middle School Counselor, Crockett County Consolidated Common School District.  

•https://www.tasb.org/home.aspx

•https://www.tasb.org/services/legal-services/tasb-school-law-esource/business/documents/operationalizing-sch-bta.pdf

•https://www.tasb.org/services/school-safety-services.aspx

•https://www.tasb.org/services/legal-services/tasb-school-law-esource/business/documents/sch_marshals_and_other_personnel_carrying_firearms.pdf

•https://www.tasb.org/members/enhance-district/program-reviews.aspx

The link below is a PowerPoint Presentation offers valuable information concerning campus carry, its history, and resources too.

Hernández (2021) interviewed “Faculty of Color (FoC)” gaining their perspectives concerning campus carry on “predominately White institutions (PWI)” in Texas applying the “Critical Race Theory (CRT) as a framework” (p. 1). I match the participants in this study being a minority and employed at a public school where most staff members are White. Results show:

•“autonomy” is granted to per institute if it aligns with state policy concerning the “develop and implement” of its guidelines, referring to best practices suited for itself,

• like topics emerged among participants as “feel safe” behaviors, “heightened surveillance and anxiety,” and “strength and resiliency” developing coping skills within each topic (p.6), 

•the need to address faculty safety as well as student safety within Texas institutions.

Lou et al. (2022) conducted a study to gain the viewpoint of the “minority population” within a border town institution of higher education (p. 99). Both articles include studies at the university level within Texas concerning campus carry, safe atmospheres, and minority populations. The investigation data shows support and concern for the campus carry Texas policy. Data found:

•Campus carry support to prevent violent acts and for protection while others felt this policy would intensify school shootings and suicides,

•Prospective of educators and students regarding campus carry and their level of knowledge influencing their opinions,

•Survey results show awareness of a campus carry policy however details about the policy are unknown.

The need for campus carry policy awareness is the obligation of all stakeholders however, expertise among legislators, educators, and students plus their families is necessary.  

Safe and Healthy Schools, Tex. S.B. 11, 86th R., ch. 464, 2019. https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/86R/billtext/html/SB00011F.HTM

•Texas Penal Code 46.03(a)(1) offers optional safety measures permitting an individual the authority to have a gun while on campus. This statutory law aligns with the constitutional law of the Second Amendment in the U.S. Constitution.

Texas Penal Code 46.03. http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/PE/htm/PE.46.htm#46.03

Discipline; Law and Order, 37. Tex. Admin. Code § 37.115 https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.37.htm#37.115

Sanders, J. (2022). Central Texas school safety: Threat assessment teams. KXAN News. https://www.kxan.com/news/education/central-texas-school-safety-threat-assessment-teams/

•The Educators’ Code of Ethics aligns with ethical standards for school counselors the American School Counselor Association (2016) states in A.6. Appropriate Referrals and Advocacy, A.9. Serious and Foreseeable Harm to Self and Others, and A.13. Evaluation, Assessment and Interpretation.

•Supreme Court case The District of Columbus v. Heller (2008) marks the interpretation of the U.S. Constitution, Second Amendment privilege to have a gun as use it for protection. 

 https://www.supremecourt.gov/

www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution 

•The Texas Constitution adopted the Texas Bill of Rights granting Texas citizens the freedom to own weapons and to wear it in order to prevent crime (Texas Const. art. 1 § 23). 

The Ozona Middle School Campus Improvement Plan aligns with CCCCSD District Improvement Plan concerning safety and crisis within local policy. 

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1999/Crockett_County_CCSD/2186800/OMS_CIP_21-22.pdf 

American School Counselor Association. (2016). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/f041cbd0-7004-47a5-ba01-3a5d657c6743/Ethical-Standards.pdf

Administrative Law mandates Texas schools establish a threat assessment team and accessible training  “identifying, evaluating, and addressing threats or potential threats” and “identify threatening behaviors by students (current and former) . … or other individuals” promoting school safety (37 TAC § 37.115; Sanders, 2022, para. 4).

Discipline; Law and Order, 37. Tex. Admin. Code § 37.115 https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.37.htm#37.115

The Educators’ Code of Ethics aligns with ethical standards for school counselors the American School Counselor Association (2016) states in A.6. Appropriate Referrals and Advocacy, A.9. Serious and Foreseeable Harm to Self and Others, and A.13. Evaluation, Assessment and Interpretation.

Educators’ Code of Ethics, 19 Tex. Admin. Code § 247.2.

Discipline; Law and Order, 37. Tex. Admin. Code § 37.115 https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.37.htm#37.115

   

•to design an Emergency and Crisis Response Plan

•training and support in specific crisis response and non-violent intervention techniques including classroom management and staff responsibilities during a crisis

•to implement the Guardian Program

•annual review and verification documentation of program completion of participants 

•awareness and collaboration among stakeholders ensuring like information and training is received by everyone

The best practices listed above advocate for awareness, training, collaboration, and for a plan to follow altogether.