The Future of Education

School-related deaths in the United States have varied and increased over time. In the United States where, from the years 2000-2022, there were approximately 131 students killed and 197 wounded in K-12 schools [1]. Hazard (i.e., flooding, fire, tornado, hurricane) injuries and deaths have drastically decreased over time. Fire injuries still occur but school fire related deaths have become rare or non-existent. From 19=865-2015, there were 47 tornadoes with deaths resulting in 295 students or teachers killed. Conversely, in the 2020-2021 school year there were 41 school deaths which included 20 homicides and 17 suicides. From 2000-2022, 131 school students were killed and 197 injured in active shooter incidents violent deaths at school document). In those 22 years, only 5 years saw zero active shooter incidents. Two of those years saw 5-6 active shooter incidents in schools. The US implements active shooter drills in all schools, at all levels. While guidance documents exists, little research reflects family and student perceptions of active shooter drills, and practices that mitigate their concerns. This paper presents data from qualitative interviews and recommendations based on subsequent findings.

Keywords: school safety, safety drills, trauma-informed

REFERENCES

[1]           National Center for Education Statistics, 2024 National Center for Education Statistics. (2024). Violent Deaths at School and Away From School, and Active Shooter Incidents. Condition of Education. U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved March 18, 2025, from https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/a01.