An Educator’s Guide to Assessing Threats in Student Writing: Social Media, Email, and Other Narrative

Based on research from the threat-assessment community, this important resource addresses the challenge of assessing concerning online communication, written narratives, and artistic works at schools, colleges, and universities. Drawing from the collective fields of law enforcement, law, and psychology, the authors expand on evidence-based practices to help student affairs staff and K-12 educators best assess the validity of these communications and develop intervention and management plans. Concepts are supported through numerous examples of social media posts, written fiction work, emails and examples from past attacks, as well as averted plans. Appropriate for the classroom, Behavioral Intervention Teams, frontline teaching staff and administrators, this new resource will ensure an evidence-based approach to early assessment and intervention.

Brian Van Brunt is a partner in The NCHERM Group and President of the National Behavioral Intervention Team Association (NaBITA).

W. Scott Lewis is a partner with The NCHERM Group and the cofounder and advisory board member of ATIXA (the Association for Title IX Administrators) and NaBITA (the National Behavioral Intervention Team Association).

Jeffrey H. Solomon is Vice President of K-12 and Safety Initiatives at The NCHERM Group and also serves on the Advisory Board National Behavioral Intervention Team Association (NABITA).