Locked Classroom Doors, Alyssa's Law, Cybersecurity, and More: August 1-15 Roundup
From locked classroom doors and Alyssa’s Law to cybersecurity and emerging technology, catch up on the school safety news, research, resources, and practitioner insights you may have missed.
Editor's Note
Welcome to the latest edition of the School Security Leadership Roundup!
As the 2026-27 school year gets underway, this edition highlights some of the issues school safety leaders are navigating right now, including locked classroom doors, student assaults, cybersecurity, panic alert legislation, classroom technology, and emerging drone technology. Over the past two weeks, we've also added new research, practitioner insights, policy updates, and resources to help school safety leaders stay informed.
Below are some of the biggest stories and resources you may have missed.
Thanks for reading, and have a safe start to the school year!
Amy Rock
Editor-in-Chief, School Security Leadership
Featured Coverage
Locked Classroom Doors: What the Research Says and How Schools Can Improve Staff Buy-In
Keeping classroom doors closed and locked is widely recommended as a school security practice, but getting staff to consistently follow the practice can be challenging. Research and insights from school safety leaders offer lessons for improving compliance and staff buy-in.
⭐ Editor's Picks
Four standout stories from the past two weeks.
Student Assaults Against School Employees: Key Considerations for School Leaders
As states strengthen penalties for assaults against school employees, school leaders are also navigating complex decisions about discipline, law enforcement, disability accommodations, de-escalation, and prevention.
School Safety and Enrollment: What New Research Says Families Value
As public school enrollment continues to decline, school leaders are looking for ways to attract and retain families. New research highlights several factors that may influence parents' enrollment decisions.
Schools Should Not Be Test Courses for Force-Capable Drones
Force-capable indoor drones must be judged against real buildings, real people, real emergencies, legal authority, and the daily mission of a school.
CISA Releases New K-12 Cybersecurity Guides
CISA's new K-12 cybersecurity resources include guidance for schools and districts getting started with cybersecurity and those looking to strengthen existing programs.
🔍 Trends We're Tracking
Emerging issues and long-term developments shaping school safety.
Alyssa's Law by State: Tracking School Panic Button Laws and Requirements
As more states enact school panic alert legislation, requirements vary widely. Here's where Alyssa's Law has passed and what school safety guidelines recommend for implementing the technology.
Schools Rethink Classroom Screen Time and Technology Use
After years of expanding classroom technology, some schools are reconsidering when screens support learning and when they may get in the way.
School Cell Phone Bans by State
Track school cell phone bans and policies by state, including bell-to-bell restrictions, instructional-time bans, pending legislation, and other statewide requirements.
ALPRs in Schools: What K-12 Leaders Should Consider Before Adoption
As some municipalities reconsider license plate reader programs, school leaders can learn from the questions being raised about data access, retention, and sharing.
🎤 Practitioner Insights
Lessons and perspectives from school safety professionals in the field.
Strengthening Rural School Safety: Lessons From Weld County
The supervisor of the Weld County Sheriff's Office School Resource Unit shares practical lessons for strengthening rural school safety.
📚 Tools & Resources
Practical guides, topic hubs, and resources to help strengthen school safety programs.
New NCSSD Resource Examines Force-Capable Indoor Drones in K-12 Schools
As force-capable drones gain attention in school safety discussions, this new NCSSD resource examines the operational, legal, funding, and policy questions school leaders and policymakers should consider before deployment.
NCSSD Quick Reference Guide: Force-Capable Indoor Drones in K-12 Schools
A concise companion to NCSSD's resource on force-capable indoor drones in K-12 schools, summarizing key findings, legal considerations, FAQs, and guidance for school leaders, policymakers, journalists, and other stakeholders.
Topic Hub: Behavioral Threat Assessment in K-12 Schools
Everything you need to stay informed about behavioral threat assessment and management (BTAM) in K-12 schools, with articles, research, practitioner insights, best practices, and free resources all in one place.
Topic Hub: School Cell Phone Restrictions in K-12 Schools
Everything you need to stay informed about school cell phone restrictions, including the latest research, educator perspectives, implementation lessons, legislation, and free resources.
Foundations of School Security Leadership (FoSSL): A Self-Paced Course for School Safety Leaders
Explore the Foundations of School Security Leadership (FoSSL), NCSSD's self-paced online course for school safety professionals, and listen to free audio overviews.
📰 The Latest School Safety News
A quick look at the latest headlines, policy developments, research, and other school safety news you may have missed.
School Safety News Digest: Screen Time Limits, AI Policies, and Cybersecurity
Schools are rethinking screen time, strengthening digital safety, and setting new boundaries around AI. Plus, new school safety research, policy developments, and headlines worth keeping an eye on.
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Get Involved with School Security Leadership
Have a story idea, research study, case study, practitioner insight, or resource to share with School Security Leadership? Contact Editor-in-Chief Amy Rock or submit a topic proposal.
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