Finally, some positive news in emergency preparedness for schools: Maryland’s new active shooter drill guidelines, set to take effect in the 2025 school year, mark a significant shift towards prioritizing student mental health while maintaining effective emergency readiness. As a school nurse who has long advocated for such changes, I’m heartened to see this growing recognition of the emotional toll that traditional emergency drills can impose on our students.
These guidelines reflect a compassionate, trauma-informed approach to school safety. By prohibiting potentially distressing elements like simulated gunfire or individuals posing as assailants, Maryland aims to reduce anxiety and panic among students and staff. Instead, the focus is on age-appropriate, developmentally sensitive practices that prepare without traumatizing.
Clear communication is at the heart of these changes. Schools must now notify parents before and after drills, providing transparency and allowing families to support their children through the process. This proactive approach builds trust and ensures everyone is on the same page.
The guidelines also introduce innovative features that prioritize emotional well-being:
- An opt-out option for those who feel uncomfortable participating
- A pause mechanism to stop drills if they become too distressing
- Tailored approaches for different age groups
- Standardized terminology to reduce confusion
As a school nurse, I’ve seen firsthand how high-stress drills can affect our students and staff. These guidelines, spearheaded by forward-thinking legislators, strike a crucial balance between safety preparedness and mental health considerations. They recognize that true safety encompasses both physical and emotional well-being.
Maryland is setting a powerful precedent with these trauma-informed, research-backed practices. I hope that other states will follow suit, creating a nationwide shift towards emergency preparedness that protects our students’ bodies and minds. This is how we build resilient, confident school communities ready to face challenges without unnecessary fear.
Key Highlights:
Trauma-Informed Approach
- The guidelines prohibit potentially traumatizing drill elements, including:
• Simulated gunfire or explosions
• Individuals posing as active assailants
• Activities that could cause emotional distress
Communication Strategy
- Schools must:
• Notify parents before and after drills
• Provide details about drill duration and nature
• Ensure transparency and build trust
Age-Appropriate Design
- Drills will be tailored to different developmental stages, recognizing that younger and older students require different approaches to emergency preparedness
Innovative Features: Opt-Out Option
- Students and staff who feel uncomfortable can choose not to participate in drills, acknowledging individual emotional needs
Pause Mechanism
- Schools can stop drills if they become too distressing, demonstrating flexibility and sensitivity
Research and Evaluation
- The Maryland Center for School Safety will:
• Collaborate with the University of Maryland’s National Center for School Mental Health
• Conduct surveys to assess drill effectiveness
• Study psychological impacts on students and staff
Legislative Context
- The guidelines stem from legislation sponsored by Delegate Jared Solomon and Senator Cheryl Kagan, aiming to balance emergency preparedness with mental health considerations
These guidelines set a precedent for a more compassionate, trauma-informed approach to school safety drills, potentially serving as a model for other states.
Resources:
“I Love You Guys” Foundation, Standard Response Protocol K-12 (2025),https://iloveuguys.org/The-Standard-Response-Protocol.html.
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As a mother, school nurse and the President of the Maryland Association of School Health Nurses (MASHN), thank you Robin, for your well-informed commentary. Mental health is of critical importance to school communities, and I very much appreciate Maryland’s work to set the tone and focus on gathering data to better inform active shooter drills. Unfortunately, active shooter drills are of critical importance. We are fortunate in Maryland that attention is focused on both priorities, so that all of our children have the opportunity to grow, learn and thrive at school.
I thought of you while I was writing this post!