The Safe School Initiative
In 2002, the Secret Service completed the Safe School Initiative (SSI), a study of school shootings and other school-based attacks. Conducted in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Education, the study examined school shootings in the United States as far back as 1974, through the end of the 2000 school year, analyzing a total of 37 incidents involving 41 student attackers. The study involved extensive review of police records, school records, court documents and other source materials, and included interviews with 10 school shooters. The focus of the study was on developing information about the school shooters' pre-attack behaviors and communications. The goal was to identify information about school shootings that may be identifiable or noticeable before such shootings occur, to help inform efforts to prevent school-based attacks.

The SSI study found that school shootings are rarely impulsive acts. Rather, they are typically thought out and planned in advance. In addition, prior to most of the shootings examined, other students knew the shooting was to occur but did not alert an adult. Very few of the attackers, however, ever directed threats to their targets before the attack. The study's findings also revealed that there is no "profile" of a school shooter; instead, the students who carried out the attacks differed from one another in numerous ways. However, almost every attacker had engaged in behavior before the shooting that seriously concerned at least one adult ― and for many had concerned three or more adults.

The findings from the study suggest that some school attacks may be preventable, and that students can play an important role in prevention efforts. Using the study's findings, the Secret Service and Department of Education have modified the Secret Service's threat assessment approach for use in schools in order to give school and law enforcement professionals tools for investigating threats in schools, managing situations of concern and creating safe school climates.

At the completion of the Safe School Initiative, the Secret Service and Department of Education published two reports that detail the study findings and lay out a process for threat assessment in schools.

As a courtesy to parents, students and school administrators and faculty, AnComm provides a link to the Secret Service Web Site so that you may access further information and download the SSI Report and Threat Assessment Guide.

The Final Report and Findings of the Safe School Initiative:
Implications for the Prevention of School Attacks in the United States

Threat Assessment in Schools: A Guide to Managing Threatening Situations
and Creating Safe School Climates

[Source: the United States Secret Service]