Getting Ahead of School Shootings: A Call for Action, Advocacy and Research

Despite the fact that schools remain incredibly safe spaces for children and youth to spend time, the occurrence of mass school shootings, although rare, is a pressing issue for our society. In this paper we discuss the importance of action, advocacy, and research related to mass school shootings. Specifically, we discuss research-based actions for preventing and responding to mass school shootings, including multi-tiered systems of support, positive behavior interventions and supports, threat assessment, and trauma-informed care. In regard to advocacy, we focus on the need to discontinue ineffective and, in some cases, harmful practices such as zero-tolerance policies. We conclude with an examination of the needed research in this area, with special attention on the use of active shooter drills and firearm legislation.