Introduction to the Safe Schools Assessment and Resource Bank
Research
and common sense tell us that safety is fundamental to student learning and
staff morale. It also shows us that early intervention is the best approach to
enhancing school climate and academic achievement.
Administrators need a time and cost efficient, objective, and solution oriented
tool for identifying key safety issues in their schools.
The Safe Schools Assessment and Resource Bank (SSARB) is designed to alert
school personnel to school safety strengths and areas that may need
improvement. SSARB provides a unique window into the perceptions of students,
school staff, and parents in grades 5-12. The assessment takes less than 5
minutes and immediately links personnel with practical strategies to address
issues of concern.
SSARB assessment is composed of 32 key factors of school safety and school
climate. However, school districts can add up to 50 custom questions to address
local concerns. Additionally, SSARB helps schools meet explicit No Child Left
Behind (NCLB) expectations regarding anonymous, student and staff assessments
of school safety issues.
SSARB was developed by the Division of Educational Research and Service at The
University of Montana and is hosted by Sopris West Educational Services. The
original project was funded by grants from the U.S. Department of Education and
the U.S. Department of Justice.
Scores on SSARB are graphically summarized at the building level. The results
can be compared to other schools in the district, state, and nation.
Building-level and district summaries can be compared year-to-year to assess
current status, improvement over time, and to new areas for improvement.
Results are secured online and are only accessible by authorized users. Results
can be exported in a variety of data formats for further analysis and archival
storage.
The assessment instrument and results reports are online and completely
confidential (review our privacy policy for details.) Data are entered, scored,
analyzed, and reported electronically.
The 32 assessment items map logically and statistically onto the six areas:
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Community involvement
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Discipline
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Perceptions of safety
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School services
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Staff preparedness
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Violence and victimization
The Safe Schools Assessment and Resource Bank Results Reporting
Safe Schools Assessment and Resource Bank data are summarized and listed as (1)
strengths, and (2) areas to improve. The information provided through SSARB
encourages the celebration of strengths and helps schools formulate an action
plan for improving issues of concern.
Bar graphs for all three respondent groups (staff, students, parents) are
provided for each survey question. Bar graphs also present building, district,
state and national. Tables provide year-to-year comparisons for all three
respondent groups. Individual results are linked to a resource bank of best
practices and practical solutions.
The Resource Bank
The
Safe Schools Assessment and Resource Bank is an electronic library with
hundreds of evidence-based resources. The resources have been identified as
helpful in improving schools safety, and include commercial and no-cost
materials, programs, and web sites. The resources can facilitate an immediate
response plan to improving school safety.
There are over 300, searchable evidence based resources reviewed relative to
efficacy and research-based practices. The resources and references are updated
on a regular basis by researchers at The University of Montana. The Resource
Bank also allows access to experts in the field of school safety, mental
health, crisis planning, and academic achievement who are able to provide
customized, on-site, consultation services.
To gain the best use of the resources for your school or district, it is
recommended that the SSARB assessment tool be the baseline and progress
indicator of your safety program. .