Threat Assessments

Students are expected to display respect and regard for others and themselves. Students are expected to manage frustrations and resolve conflict with others using respectful dialogue or seeking assistance from campus staff. Violent behavior is prohibited and threats of violence are taken seriously.

The State of Texas mandates that threat assessments must be conducted by a multidisciplinary team at a campus [TEC 37.115 (f)(1)(A)] when students display “harmful, threatening, or violent behavior” which includes threats of self-harm, bullying, cyberbullying, fighting, the use or possession of a weapon, sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating violence, stalking, or assault by a student. [TEC 37.115 (a)(1)]

• A threat is an expression of intent to harm someone or themselves that may be spoken, written, gestured, or communicated via digital or electronic messaging platforms. Threats may be explicit or implied and directed at the intended target or communicated to a third party.
• The district conducts threat assessments to evaluate an individual’s potential for engaging in violent behavior, including situations involving concerning actions—such as weapon possession, physical altercations, or menacing conduct—even in the absence of a direct or implied threat
• If a screening indicates the need for additional inquiry, a threat assessment will be conducted by the threat assessment team at the student’s campus of enrollment. Parents/guardians will be notified before it begins and they will have the chance to provide input and take part in the process. [TEC 37.115 (f-1)]
• Upon completion, the team will determine appropriate interventions and responses to ensure campus and community safety and student success based on the data that was gathered and Interventions and responses will be tailored to the specific needs of the student, those affected, the environment, and contributing factors.
• Parents/Guardians will be provided with the team's conclusions and recommendations once the assessment is complete. [TEC 37.115 (f-2)]
• Students may face corrective action for disciplinary infractions which are handled separately by campus administration and are distinct from the threat assessment process.
• State law requires that threat assessments be maintained in a student's school records until their 24th birthday [TEC 37.115 (j-1)]