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This week's mass shooting in Nashville is the latest awful reminder of the scourge of gun violence in America—and the need to keep schools safe.
Before opening fire at the Covenant School, the shooter reportedly sent a chilling Instagram message to a friend: “I am planning to die today.” (The shooter had also shared past suicidal thoughts with others.) While the friend did contact the authorities, the shooting began just minutes after the report was made.
Speaking up about a potential threat fell short of preventing the attack in Nashville. But the possibility that, with a bit more time, the situation might have been averted underscores just how important threat reporting is to preventing school violence.
Threat reporting is the focus of a recent RAND study. The authors find that, too often, concerns about potential violence aren't brought to light until after violence occurs. In fact, one of the most consistent findings in the research on school shootings is that someone knew an attack was possible and didn't report it.
Our study examines what states, districts, and schools can do to encourage people—especially students—to report potential threats. Lead author Pauline Moore says she and her colleagues heard the same thing from almost everyone they talked to: “If kids feel supported, if they have someone they can trust, they'll come forward.”
Building a trusting school climate is essential, but the authors also recommend establishing tip lines and providing trainings that teach students and staff what to report and how to report it. Steps such as these could help prevent yet another tragedy in one of America's schools. Read more »
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