Act 29 of 2023 in Vermont establishes several school safety requirements for public and approved and recognized independent schools. These requirements include nationally recognized best practices such as conducting options-based response drills, developing emergency operations plans, managing access and visitors, and developing and utilizing behavioral threat assessment programs. Below are resources, guidance, and technical support relevant to this legislation.
Technical Support
Emergency Drills
- Memo: School Safety Drill Guidance (2024-2025 School Year)
- Drill Reporting Tool
- VSSC Parent Letter Template for Options-Based Response to Violent Intruder Drills
Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs)
- Emergency Management Director (EMD) Public Contact Information
- Emergency Management Partners
- School Safety Planning
- (Video) EOP Webinar for Vermont Independent Schools, March 19, 2024
- (Video) AOE/Health Department Heat Preparedness Webinar - The Vermont Department of Health, in partnership with the Vermont Agency of Education, discuss relevant information for keeping Vermont students and children safe during extreme heat events.
- (Side Deck) Preparing for Hot Weather in Vermont Schools (Vermont Department of Health)
Behavior Threat Assessment (BTA)
- Please see the new AOE BTA webpage for more information regarding all AOE-provided BTA information and resources.
Required Reporting
Supplemental Resources
Independent Schools
- Act 29 Overview for Independent Schools Webinar
- (Video) EOP Webinar for Vermont Independent Schools, March 19, 2024
Youth Voice in School Safety
In 2024, UP for Learning worked with the Vermont Agency of Education and Department of Public Safety to bring the voices, experiences, and perspectives of Vermont youth into policy conversations about school safety and security. This project consisted of eight youth-led dialogue events for youth in grades 6–12, as well as a survey taken by students in grades 9–12 across Vermont. This project culminated with the 2024 Youth Safety Report.
Governor's Annual School Safety Conference
The Governor’s Annual School Safety Conference is held annually in partnership with Vermont’s Agency of Education, Department of Public Safety, and the Vermont School Safety Center. The conference includes keynotes and breakout sessions presented by several of the country’s foremost school safety experts and advocates. 2024 conference presentation materials:
- School Safety Planning Presentation
- Integrating School Safety Drill and Exercise Methodology Presentation
- The Role of School Climate in Effective Behavioral Threat Assessment Management
- Verbal De-Escalation and Violence Prevention
- Enhancing School Safety & Security: Understanding Reporting Systems & Anonymized Threats to Protect K-12 Communities
The Vermont School Safety Center
The Vermont School Safety Center offers best practices and recommendations on how to keep your school safe.