Authority

According to the Code of Virginia §22.1-279.8 (School safety audits and school crisis and emergency management plans required) and §9.1-184 (Virginia Center for School Safety created; duties):

• The Virginia Center for School Safety shall develop a list of items to be included in the school safety audits and shall prescribe a standardized report format for school safety audits.
  
  
• Each local school board shall require all schools under its control to annually conduct school safety audits.

Description

In the Commonwealth of Virginia, all public schools are required to conduct an annual school safety audit in order to assess school safety conditions. Through enabling legislation, the Virginia Center for School Safety (VCSS) has been designated to collect, analyze, and disseminate various Virginia school safety data including school safety audit information. In 2005, the General Assembly transferred the authority to collect school safety audit information from the Department of Education to the Department of Criminal Justice Services. To date, the VCSS has developed three components for the school safety audit program:

1. Virginia School Safety Survey
2. Virginia School Crisis Management Plan Review and Certification
3. Virginia Secondary School Climate Survey

As a means for collecting individual school safety audit information, the VCSS annually administers the Virginia School Safety Survey. This survey provides all public schools (K-12) with a standardized report format for conducting and submitting their audit information to the VCSS.

The Virginia School Crisis Management Plan Review and Certification safety audit component, in accordance with amended Code § 22.1-279.8, requires that upon the school board's review of written school crisis, emergency management, and emergency plans, the division superintendent shall certify the review completion to the VCSS.

The Virginia Secondary School Climate Survey, is a new requirement beginning in the 2012-13 school year. Information on the implementation and evaluation of this safety survey component is located below.

1) Virginia School Safety Survey

In the Commonwealth of Virginia, all public schools are required through legislation to conduct an annual school safety audit in order to assess school safety conditions. As a means for collecting individual school safety audit information, the Virginia Center for School Safety (VCSS) annually administers the Virginia School Safety Survey. View the Virginia School Safety Survey homepage for information.



2) Virginia Crisis Management Plan Review and Certification

Amended Virginia Code § 22.1-279.8 requires Virginia’s public school boards to annually review the written school crisis, emergency management, and medical emergency response plans of each school it supervises. Superintendents shall certify this review no later than August 31 of each year. View the Crisis Management Plan and Certification page for more information.




3) Virginia Secondary School Climate Survey
The Virginia Secondary School Climate Survey School Safety Study will provide schools with information on school climate and safety conditions in order to maintain a safe and orderly school environment conducive to learning. This survey of students and teachers will be administered in alternating years in grades 7 and 8 one year and then grades 9,10, 11, and 12 the next year. The survey in grades 7 and 8 begins in the spring of 2013. View the Virginia Secondary School Climate Survey page for more information.



Reports/Publications

• The 2011 Virginia School Safety Survey Results



• The 2010 Virginia School Safety Survey Results



• The 2009 Virginia School Safety Survey Results



• The 2008 Virginia School Safety Survey Results



• The 2007 Virginia High School Safety Study Survey
  • 2007 VA H.S. Safety Study Report
  • 2007 VA H.S. Safety Study Executive Summary
  • 2007 VA H.S. Safety Study Summary Slides
    
  • "UVA News Release: U.Va.-Led Virginia High School Safety Study Creates One-Page Reports to Aid Schools"
    
    • VHSSS Issue One
    • VHSSS Issue Two
    • VHSSS Issue Three
    • VHSSS Issues Four, Five & Six
    
    
    
• The 2007 Virginia School Safety Survey, DCJS Criminal Justice Research Center, 2007 (.pdf, 68 pages)
  
  
• The 2006 Virginia School Safety Survey, DCJS Criminal Justice Research Center, 2006 (.pdf, 64 pages)
  
  
• The 2005 Virginia School Safety Survey, DCJS Criminal Justice Research Center, 2005 (.pdf, 44 pages)
  
  
• Review of Virginia School Safety Audit Reporting: Final Report, DCJS Criminal Justice Research Center, 2004 (.pdf, 34 pages)
  
  
• Review of Virginia School Safety Audit Reporting: Final Report, DCJS Criminal Justice Research Center, 2003 (.pdf, 41 pages)
  
  

Contact Information

Donna Michaelis
804.371.6506

Shellie Mackenzie
804.225.1863