Federal Resources for Safer School-Based Active Shooter Drills (DOE, DHHS, DHS) [January 2025]

The U.S. Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security have released new resources to help schools design and implement active shooter drills. These materials focus on improving preparedness while supporting the emotional well-being of school communities.

Resources below:

The CISA K-12 Active Shooter Drills and Programs Landscape Assessment provides an overview of active shooter drills and programs used in U.S. schools, offering insights to support preparedness and align with the September 2024 Executive Order on improving school-based drills.

The Active Shooter Drills Research: An annotated Bibliography complies key studies on the mental health effects of active shooter drills, highlights gaps in research, and includes prevention resources from HHS agencies, offering immediate insights while a more comprehensive review by NASEM is underway.

Considerations for Education Leaders in Preparing for Active Shooter Drills in Schools offers guidance to schools on designing and conducting active shooter drills that prioritize both physical safety and the mental well-being of students and staff.