top of page
Example BRIEF

This BRIEF was created for the School Rush app that connects teachers and parents.

Screen Shot 2020-04-24 at 10.59.18 AM.pn
CriticalInfografic(Revised-#12).png

Gray- Tracking, no actions required.    Blue- Internal actions needed.   Red- Outside assistance is recommended.

REMS

New Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Standards:

​

Federal plan for schools to adopt non-traditional tech.

 

Federal guidance on school safety includes the importance of emergency communications.  Federal recommendations stress the need for schools to implement an emergency communications plan.

  • Need for New Technology: Schools should identify and use non-traditional technology to alert first responders to an emergency. Schools and government, in general, are usually reluctant to implement new technology over traditional. Having the Commission on School Safety recommends non-traditional technology to schools will benefit School Rush.

  • Establishes requirements for law enforcement to improve the use of suspicious activity reports related to terroristic threats. 

  • Provides legal guidance for how and when law enforcement shall submit suspicious activity reports to the Texas Suspicious Activity Reporting Network, School Rush could join the network.

  • Requires DPS, the Texas Education Agency, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to develop a working relationship to increase the use of suspicious activity reporting by students, staff, and parents

​

White House Fact Sheet:

​

The federal response to school shootings; opportunity for School Rush to gain a competitive advantage.

​

The White House issued a fact sheet regarding school safety initiatives that the administration would be supporting moving forward in the wake of an outbreak in school shootings. These include establishing the Federal Commission on School Safety, led by Dept of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, and plans to strengthen mental health training and school safety training.

  • The Federal Commission on School Safety, in particular, will impact School Rush because it will include a “plan for integration and coordination of Federal resources focused on prevention and mitigation of active shooter incidents at schools.” This undoubtedly will include mass communication efforts to alert schools and parents of incidents and may provide both opportunities for funding and competition for resources.

  • Funding: White House issued a school safety fact sheet with plans for federal funding. From the report: “plan for integration and coordination of Federal resources focused on the prevention and mitigation of active shooter incidents at schools.” This is a major funding source you can’t miss out on. Whoever accesses this pool of money will likely dominate the market.

  • Federal Funding: The White House school safety report will create a federal pool of money for school safety, but will likely create fierce competition among vendors for access to the money. Make sure to follow this closely and engage with state and local governments to become a preferred vendor for this funding.

​

​

HR 4301:

​

Congress is working to pass legislation to develop a local communication plan in response to shootings.

​

The House Committee on Education & Labor Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education held a public hearing on September 11, 2019, regarding “The Importance of Trauma-Informed Practices in Education to Assist Students Impacted by Gun Violence and Other Adversities”. 

The committee also considered and passed HR 4301 regarding School Shooting Safety and Preparedness Act:

  • requires the National Center for Education Statistics to collect information on the existence of

    •  A communication plan with local law enforcement

    •  A response plan that includes coordination with local agencies (law enforcement, fire department, hospitals, etc)

    •  An active shooter response plan (including the use of an alert system to notify students, faculty, and parents or guardians). 

​

​

Gov. Abbott Executive Order:

​

State exploring best practices in response to mass shootings; which will become law.

 

Following the tragedies in El Paso and Odessa, Governor Greg Abbott issued eight executive orders to help prevent further mass shootings by enhancing reporting requirements and ensuring law enforcement and the public have the training, tools, and resources they need to provide and respond to Suspicious Activity Reports. Action by the governor is a starting point in the process to keep Texas communities safe. 

Pursuant to his powers as Governor and Chief Executive of the state of Texas, Governor Greg Abbott has issued the following executive orders:

  • Increased Reporting: Establishes requirements for law enforcement to improve the use of suspicious activity reports related to terroristic threats.  

  • Improved Legal Standards: Provides legal guidance for how and when law enforcement shall submit suspicious activity reports to the Texas Suspicious Activity Reporting Network.

  • Increased Awareness: Requires Texas DPS to increase public awareness on the importance and use of submitted suspicious activity reports.

  • Lack of Enforcement: Governor’s executive orders do not have the force of law, track legislation related to implementing executive orders. To make provisions of the Governor’s executive orders become permanent, legislation is needed to be passed.

  • Funding Needed: Track additional funding that may be needed to increase awareness of the Suspicious Activity Reporting Network. Increased awareness and use of SARN will lead to additional costs. 

  • Implementation: Track implementation and awareness by school districts and THECB.

​

​

Texas-State Board of Education (SBOE)

​

SBOE to adopt a new education curriculum: an opportunity for School Rush to gain a competitive advantage.

​

The Texas Education Agency Commissioner's Office provides leadership to schools, manages the state education agency, and provides coordination with the state legislature and other branches of state government as well as the U.S. Department of Education.

​

State Board of Education

The State Board of Education (SBOE) sets policies and standards for Texas public schools. The board is made up of SBOE members elected from single-member districts. The SBOE is required to meet at least quarterly. The primary responsibilities of the SBOE include:

  1. Setting curriculum standards, Reviewing and adopting instructional materials, Establishing graduation requirements, among other responsibilities.

  2. TEA/SBOE to develop strategies to improve parental engagement in schools.

  3. When updating the Health TEKS/Physical Education TEKS, the State Board of Education (SBOE) should emphasize student mental health issues, including depression, social media immersion, and drug abuse.

​

White House
HR 4301
Gov. Order
SBOE
bottom of page