��������

A School Counselor’s Role in Shaping Active Shooter Drill Policies

As schools across the country continue to implement active shooter drills, educators and mental health professionals face an urgent question: how do we prepare students for emergencies without causing unnecessary fear or trauma? This is a question that school counselors and scholars, including Emily Goodman-Scott, PhD, LPC, NCC, NCSC, ACS, have been researching for years. Her work in ��������’s Department of Counseling & Human Services has not only contributed to a growing body of research on the psychological impacts of lockdown drills but has also positioned her as a key voice in national conversations on school safety policies.

Goodman-Scott recently joined a series of congressionally mandated panel discussions led by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Alongside scholars from Harvard, UCLA, and Columbia, the panel examined the impact of active shooter drills in K–12 schools. As the sole representative from the counseling field, Goodman-Scott brought a critical perspective on crisis response and student mental health. The discussion, broadcast to policymakers, educators, and community stakeholders, focused on strategies to reduce the psychological toll of these drills. “I’m honored to contribute,” Goodman-Scott shared, “especially as someone representing the counseling discipline, a field uniquely positioned to bridge prevention and response.”

Lockdown drills have become nearly ubiquitous in K–12 schools across the United States, with 95% of public schools implementing them annually. However, Goodman-Scott’s research reveals a paradox: while drills aim to enhance safety and preparedness, they often introduce unintended emotional consequences for students and staff, such as heightened anxiety and fear, especially when unannounced or made to be overly realistic.^[1] Many counselors who participated in the studies worried that they did not have sufficient training to support their students, and that frequent drills create a prison-like atmosphere, shifting schools away from nurturing environments. Echoing recommendations from the National Association of School Psychologists, Goodman-Scott’s research advocates for trauma-informed practices, urging schools to replace high-stress simulations with age-appropriate, supportive approaches that prioritize both safety and well-being.

In September, President Biden issued an executive order aiming for school lockdown drills to be based in trauma-informed best practices. During the final week of the Biden Administration, the U.S. Department of Education released their newest recommendations,emphasizing the importance of student well-being in emergency preparedness. The recently released report, outlines best practices for implementing drills that minimize psychological harm. These include:

• Providing advance notice to students, families, and staff before conducting drills.
• Avoiding simulated violence, such as the use of fake gunfire or staged injuries.
• Offering post-drill debriefings to help students and staff process their emotions.
• Ensuring drills align with trauma-informed strategies that prioritize psychological safety.

These recommendations, aligning closely with Goodman-Scott’s research, highlight the need for evidence-based, student-centered school safety policies and the essential role of mental health professionals in shaping them. By ensuring that drills are implemented in a way that educates rather than traumatizes, school counselors can help create safer, healthier learning environments.

“Dr. Goodman-Scott’s research exemplifies the critical role that school counselors play in shaping safe, supportive learning environments,” shared Tammi Dice, Dean of the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies at ��������. “Her expertise not only reflects the academic excellence we value at �������� but also underscores the importance of recognizing school counseling as an essential profession- one that deserves attention and appreciation year-round. Through her work, Dr. Goodman-Scott represents �������� with distinction as a leading scholar in her field, influencing national policy and advocating for the well-being of students across the country.”

As we celebrate this February, it’s important to recognize the vital role school counselors play in crisis response and prevention, including creating an affirming, safe, welcoming environment. Beyond helping students navigate academic and social challenges, counselors are often at the frontline of school safety efforts, supporting students in the aftermath of high-stress events like lockdown drills. The work of school counselors like Goodman-Scott reminds us that true school safety isn’t just about physical protection—it’s also about emotional well-being.