According to a recent blog post by the Learning Policy Institute (LPI), strategies that help students feel connected and supported can enhance school safety. In fact, the blog also reports that research shows that investing in evidence-based approaches that build students’ psychological sense of safety — such as developing trusting relationships, creating positive school climates and providing mental health supports — can help prevent school violence.
Also, according to LPI, while schools also need physical safety protections, some technologies being used in schools lack data on effectiveness and can even lead to harm. It is estimated that schools spend $4B on physical safety measures (e.g., metal detectors, surveillance cameras and weapons detection systems), but research says the best way to keep students safe is through trusting relationships and positive school climates.
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