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    School Safety Training

    K-12 Threat Assessment Training

    Act 18 of 2019 amended the Public School Code of 1949 by adding Article XIII-E, Threat Assessment. Among its provisions, Article XIII-E requires the establishment of threat assessment teams for all school entities in Pennsylvania and tasks the School Safety and Security Committee (SSSC) to research, develop and provide free threat assessment guidelines, training and informational materials, as well as model procedures and guidelines for school entities.

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    About the Training Curriculum

     PCCD's online and in-person trainings utilize the same K-12 Threat Assessment Training curriculum, developed pursuant to criteria established in Article XIII-E (Threat Assessment) of the PA Public School Code in consultation with nationally recognized subject matter experts, as well as Pennsylvania school administrators and personnel. The training curriculum covers topics including:

    • The principles of threat assessment; 
    • Responsibilities and composition of Threat Assessment Teams;
    • Conducting threat assessments (process overview);
    • Identifying and reporting threats; 
    • Gathering information; 
    • Assessing the situation; 
    • Managing threats; and 
    • Additional resources for Pennsylvania school entities. 

    Online Training Program

    To help Pennsylvania school entities comply with Threat Assessment Team requirements established by Act 18 of 2019, PCCD recently launched a free, comprehensive online training program, which uses a "train-the-trainer" approach for equipping Threat Assessment Team members to understand and articulate key concepts of school-based threat assessment and management. Participants can complete the multi-module course at their own pace using an online training platform and curriculum developed by RSM Corporation.

    Participants who successfully complete all 12 course modules can request to receive a certificate of completion, which can be used for obtaining continuing professional education credits.  Register and access online Threat Assessment Team training modules.

    In-Person Regional Trainings

    In addition to its online training course, PCCD will hold another series of regional train-the-trainer sessions in locations across the state, facilitated by RSM Corporation, offered at no cost for Pennsylvania school entities. 

    **Please note: These regional trainings utilize the same curriculum as the online training courses, and are substantively the same as sessions that were offered during the 2022-23 school year. 

    If you are looking for new training content, please see the "Scenario-based Training Program" section below. 

    Scenario-Based Training Program

    In Fall 2022, PCCD and RSM launched a new scenario-based training program available at no cost to school entities, which builds on the concepts introduced in the online and regional training sessions. If you are interested in requesting a session, please utilize the "Technical Assistance Request Form" on the Network's site.