School Safety
School Safety Audits
Authority
According to the Code of Virginia §22.1-279.8 (School safety audits and school crisis and emergency management plans required) and §9.1-184 (Virginia Center for School Safety created; duties):
- The Virginia Center for School Safety shall develop a list of items to be included in the school safety audits and shall prescribe a standardized report format for school safety audits.
- Each local school board shall require all schools under its control to annually conduct school safety audits.
- Please go to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services to complete the audit.
Virginia Center for School Safety
The Virginia Center for School Safety (VCCS) annually collects, analyzes and disseminates school safety data – including information from annual school safety audits. The VCCS is responsible for the following:
- Virginia School Safety Survey – Online survey allows divisions to meet code requirement to report annual safety audit data to VCCS (includes annual survey results)
- Virginia School Crisis Management Plan Review and Certification – Superintendents certify annually that school boards review crisis, emergency management and emergency medical response plans for all schools in division
- Virginia High School Safety Study – Identifies safety, discipline and support practices to maintain a safe and orderly secondary learning environment
School Searches
The Virginia School Search Resource Guide is used by local school boards, superintendents, building administrators, and school board attorneys in the development and implementation of sound local policies. The guide includes best practices, sample policies and procedures, and in-depth legal references.
Persistently Dangerous Schools
VDOE monitors data on violence and criminal acts in schools to identify schools in need of technical assistance to improve safety and create climates conducive to teaching and learning. Schools at risk of being identified as “persistently dangerous” under the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (also known as No Child Left Behind) are monitored in an effort to address and correct those areas posing risks within the schools.
- Persistently Dangerous Schools Identification Process and Criteria (PDF) Adopted by the Virginia Board of Education, April 29, 2003.
The Virginia Board of Education’s statewide policy on students attending a “persistently dangerous” school or who become victims of violent crime while in or on the grounds of a public school is to provide those students with the opportunity to attend a safe school within the school division.
- Persistantly Dangerous Schools & Unsafe School Choice Option Policy (PDF) A VDOE Board of Education policy.
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