1. Update: School Safety and Student Well-Being Advisory Committee. Report to the Legislature
- Author
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Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, DeVerse, Ella, Donlin, Mike, Bloomquist, Kerry, Boylan, Ross, and Stark, Christian
- Abstract
A 2001 legislative budget proviso originally established the Washington State School Safety Advisory Committee and School Safety Center to address the complexities of school safety. House Bill (HB) 1216 (2019) revised the School Safety Center and placed it in state law, transforming the School Safety Advisory Committee into the new School Safety and Student Well-Being Advisory Committee (SS-SWAC, or the Committee) under Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 28A.300.635. HB 1216 (2019) required the Committee to submit a report to the legislature by November 15, 2020, and every even-numbered year thereafter, summarizing the Committee's activities during the preceding biennium. This report provides an update on the work of the SS-SWAC and programs under HB 1216 (2019) over the course of the biennium. This report also provides strategies for the improvement of school safety and student well-being, prioritized recommendations for state policies, and the estimated cost for each recommendation. Recommendations include: (1) Reduction of bias to improve school climate and student access to supports in school; (2) Comprehensive school safety plans and expanded harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) supports; (3) Threat assessment point of contact, data collection, and required training; and (4) Mental health supports in schools for students and staff.
- Published
- 2022