Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
Welcome to the Virginia School Safety Audit homepage, created by the Virginia Center for School Safety to assist schools and divisions in making their schools more secure.
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):
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:
- Virginia School Safety Survey
- Virginia School Crisis Management Plan Review and Certification
- Virginia High School Safety Study
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 High School Study, an additional requirement for the 2006-07 school year, was implemented at high schools containing a ninth grade level. Information on the implementation and evaluation of this safety survey component is located below.
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.
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.
The Virginia High School Safety Study serves to identify student safety, discipline, and support practices that best maintain a safe and orderly school environment conducive to learning. This recent study, conducted as part of Virginia’s School Safety Survey program, is mandated by Virginia Code § 22.1-279.8. and § 9.1-184. View the Virginia High School Safety Study page for more information.