Official Government Website
School Safety in the News
“School safety is just a national issue that we talk about in other places when there’s a tragedy. It really needs to be a day-to-day local issue and it takes so many partners and approaches. As we think of safety as a community issue, how we’re working together to prevent harm, how we respond well when challenges arrive. It helps us create this environment where are students are supports and secure and they feel seen.”
State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Debbie Critchfield
New and Noteworthy
- “School Resource Officers in Idaho Report” (2025)– The 2025 School Resource Officers in Idaho presents statewide data on how many K-12 schools employ SROs, the types of crimes occurring on school grounds, and the roles SROs serve in Idaho communities. The report also compares perceptions of SRO roles between school administrators, board members, and the officers themselves — providing insight into alignment (or gaps) in expectations around campus safety and security.
- “OSBE Security Officer Training Program Guide” (2025)– The 2025 Idaho School Security Officer Training Program provides a week-long certification that equips school security personnel with essential skills in prevention, emergency response, medical aid, and de-escalation. The program emphasizes hands-on practice and real-world application.
- “Aligning Behavioral Threat Assessment Management with Multitiered Systems of Support” (2025)– This resource provides a clear framework for integrating Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management into a Multi-Tiered System of Support, ensuring that prevention, intervention, and student-support practices work together in a coordinated way. It outlines how schools can use MTSS structures to identify concerning behaviors earlier, streamline team responses, and create safer, more supportive environments for students.
- “The State of Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management in K-12 Public Schools” (2025)-A new nationwide study by NTAC and RAND reveals that nearly all U.S. public K–12 schools now use some form of Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) — a major milestone for school safety. The report offers the most comprehensive look yet at how these programs are operating, what’s working, and where implementation gaps remain — serving as a critical roadmap for districts striving to strengthen prevention and early-intervention efforts.
What We Do: School Safety & Security Across Idaho
The 2016 Idaho Legislature created the Idaho Office of School Safety and Security to support the efforts of Idaho public schools as they work to create safer learning environments.
By statute, the Office works within a triennial schedule to perform comprehensive threat and vulnerability assessments on every school campus. Following a campus visit, administrators are provided a summary of the assessment with a list of possible mitigation strategies. In addition to assessment services, the Office also provides training, support and serves as a comprehensive repository of effective practices.
Our Mission
It is the mission of the Idaho Office of School Safety and Security to foster safer student environments by supporting school communities with assessment, training and expertise.
Goals to Fulfilling Our Mission
- Develop and employ a comprehensive process and instrument for Triennial school assessments and reports.
- Maintain accurate information on school locations and conditions, tracking facility additions and changes.
- Identify and implement multiple modes of support for the improvement of safety and security within schools.
- Identify and establish connection with the agencies, institutions and organizations that serve schools, school personnel, or provide some type of service useful for promoting safety and security within the school environment.
- Identify incidents, conditions and trends that threaten schools. Research and develop effective practices for the purpose of distributing information and providing training as needed. Research and evaluate the efficacy of technological security solutions, advising school on possible implementation.