Albuquerque Public Schools
Threat Assessment
The APS Student Threat Assessment Process is a problem-solving approach to violence prevention that focuses on helping students in distress. This approach involves both assessment and interventions to resolve problems before they escalate into violence.
Our approach emphasizes prevention, collaboration, intervention and a positive school atmosphere to address potential threats and conflicts among students. Resolving conflicts and issues among students through mediation and collaboration with parents/guardians is a positive step toward creating a safe and supportive school environment. This strategy promotes open communication and seeks to address issues before they escalate. By taking a proactive stance and involving all stakeholders, our approach aims to create a safer and more supportive educational environment where students are empowered to solve their differences constructively.
Key Goals of Student Threat Assessment:
Prevention:
By identifying and addressing potential issues early, the goal is to prevent situations from escalating into violence. This proactive stance can help create a safer and more secure school environment.
Comprehensive Approach
The Student Threat Assessment approach aims to comprehensively address potential threats by assessing and intervening with students who may be in distress or exhibiting concerning behavior. This approach acknowledges that there are often underlying factors contributing to such behavior, and it seeks to address those factors proactively.
Collaboration
The involvement of various stakeholders, including students, parents/guardians, teachers, and administrators, is crucial. Collaborative efforts ensure a more holistic understanding of the situation and allow for a collective approach to problem-solving.
Positive School Atmosphere
Fostering a positive school atmosphere is central to this approach. By focusing on conflict resolution, open communication, and involving students in constructive ways, the goal is to create a supportive environment where students feel empowered to address their differences in a healthy manner.
Mediation
Encouraging peer mediation is a proactive step towards conflict resolution. Mediating conflicts can help de-escalate situations and provide an opportunity for students to learn problem-solving and communication skills.
Involvement of Parents/Guardians
Engaging parents and guardians in the process is important for a comprehensive understanding of a student's situation. It also promotes a collaborative effort between the school and the student's support system.
Open Communication
The strategy of addressing issues before they escalate relies on open and effective communication. Encouraging dialogue among students, teachers, and other stakeholders is key to understanding concerns and finding solutions.
Empowerment
Empowering students to actively engage in problem-solving contributes to their personal development and helps create a school environment where conflicts are managed constructively.Top of Form