California School Safety Standards

School Safety Legislation & Resources

California Assembly Bill 1747: School Safety Plans

California school alert systems are proactive acknowledgments that school violence has become a major concern and priority in safety planning in schools across the state. By California law, school districts need to develop Comprehensive School Safety Plans that should be adopted by March 1st each year to deal with a variety of emergencies:

• bomb threat
• bioterrorism/hazardous materials
• earthquake
• flood
• power failure/blackout
• intruders/solicitors
• weapons/assault/hostage
• explosion
• gas/fumes

Assembly Bill 1747 also requires California schools to include specific procedures “to prepare for active shooters or other armed assailants” in their schools safety plans. Training also should be available for staff and students, so they understand how to react in emergency situations.

In addition, plans should include clear guidelines for the roles and responsibilities of mental health professionals, school counselors, community intervention professionals, school resource officers, and police officers on campus.

Focusing on Prevention

The California Department of Education’s Project Cal-STOP provides free training to schools based on Sandy Hook Promise’s Know the Signs Programs:

• Start With Hello trains middle and high school students on how to recognize social isolation within their classroom and school. Students learn how to reach out and help.
• Say Something teaches middle and high school students to look for warning signs and threats—especially in social media—and to act immediately. Sandy Hook Promise also operates Say Something Tips, a website where students and staff can anonymously submit their safety concerns
• SAVE Promise Club is a student-led club that allows students to practice lessons from Start With Hello and Say Something. The club organizes activities on campus that promote a safe, respectful, and inclusive climate.

Cal-STOP also includes National Alliance on Mental Illness On Campus High School Club and Youth Mental Health First Aid training as ways to give troubled young people the help they need.

Additional Resources for Safety Planning

The California Department of Education has compiled resources about violence prevention, school safety planning, and more that California educational leaders can take advantage of when reviewing their district’s safety plans. Visit the CDE’s website to find targeted information on school safety issues, intervention prorgams, sample templates, guidance on training and implementation, and best practices.

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services has also created valuable resources for educators on school emergency preparedness planning and safety. Explore available resources on their website.

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