The Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) was created in 1999 by Governor George Bush and authorized by the 77th Texas Legislature in 2001 to serve as a central location for school safety information, and to provide schools with research, training, and technical assistance to reduce youth violence and promote safety in the state. TxSSC is charged to conduct safety training that includes: development of a positive school environment and proactive safety measures to address local concerns, school safety courses for law enforcement officials, assistance for districts in developing a multi-hazard emergency operations plan, security criteria for instructional facilities, and a model safety and security audit procedure for the state. The center also collects school safety data for the state and provides a report to the public.


Key Principles for School Security in Planning For Reductions in Force

Dept of Education Conducting large-scale reductions in force (RIFs), or lay-offs, is never a pleasant endeavor, particularly when those positions being eliminated are close friends and colleagues. However, during difficult economic times, school districts and institutions of higher education (IHEs) are increasingly facing the possibility of RIFs in an effort to preserve funds for education. As school districts and IHEs prepare to conduct RIFs there are some key planning considerations for school safety, security and emergency management officials to ensure that the process is conducted safely and with compassion.

Download Principles Checklist

Preparing for Severe Weather in Schools

With the start of tornado season and the high level of activity early this spring, school districts should re-evaluate their severe weather procedures and conduct drills in each of their facilities. Here are some steps that may help to prepare for severe weather events.

Preparing for Severe Weather in Schools

TxSSC Registry

As of the 81st Legislative session, it is now mandated that all individuals that provide school safety or security consulting services in the state of Texas comply and submit their information to the Registry by January 1, 2010.

This online resource is provided by the Texas School Safety Center in accordance with
Texas Education Code Section 37.2091 and House Bill 1831 Section 6.17. The Registry includes information of anyone providing services to a school district, institution of higher education, district facility, or campus in the form of advice, information, recommendations, data collection, or safety and security audit services relevant to school safety and security, regardless of whether the person is paid for those services.

Texas School Safety Center Trainings

The Texas School Safety Center offers a variety of trainings on topics such as School Safety and Security Audits, EOP, Cyberbullying, Best Practices in School Safety, NIMS/ICS, Gang Awareness and Intervention and many more.

For a complete list of Texas School Safety Center trainings, download the attached School Safety Center Training Flyer.

Texas Unified School Safety and Security Standards and Best Practices

The Texas School Safety Center in collaboration with Texas Education Agency, Harris County Department of Education, and the State Safe and Drug-Free School Initiative at Region VI have developed the Unified Texas School Safety and Security Standards which will help all districts by providing a benchmark to measure school safety efforts.   The standards are available for public review and comment online, please click on the following link below:

Texas Unified School Safety and Security Standards

The next step in the Unified School Safety and Security Standards is to collaborate with individuals across Texas to create a document which identifies and outlines best practices.

The best practices are now available for review and comment online, please click on the following link below:

Best Practices

H1N1 Flu – From the CDC
How Flu Spreads

The main way that influenza viruses are thought to spread is from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes. This can happen when droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person are propelled through the air and deposited on the mouth or nose of people nearby. Influenza viruses may also be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets on another person or an object and then touches their own mouth or nose (or someone else’s mouth or nose) before washing their hands. To learn more, click here.