Sustainable, Accessible, Feasible, Effective (SAFE) School Safety Planning: Educator Perceptions of Crisis Frequency and Preparedness in Suspecting and Responding to School Safety

Educators are underprepared to respond to crises related to school safety. This lack of preparation leaves school leaders, teachers, and students vulnerable to harm. Importantly, the recent global health pandemic increased the utilization of online and hybrid learning modes increasing the need for school safety planning specific to these online settings. The methodology utilized survey data from participants (n=93) in an online statewide school to provide perceptions of crisis frequency and preparedness to suspect and respond to these events as well as to better understand if these educators received training. Findings noted that in the different areas of crises, the number of educators who felt ‘very prepared’ to suspect and respond to crises needed improvement. Additionally, a number of participants could not confirm that their schools had a specified school safety plan or that these plans were accessible and being implemented with fidelity. These implications for practice suggest a need for school safety planning for online settings that are sustainable, accessible, feasible, and effective (SAFE) to ensure school safety via researched-based practices. Recommendations for future research include gathering data on a wider scope from education professionals nationwide by continuing the current research in online settings.