As the 2021-2022 school year comes to a close, school districts nationwide are facing challenges on many fronts: the long-term impacts of the COVID pandemic, teacher retention and recruitment, and an increase in school violence, particularly incidents directed at teachers.

These challenges aren’t new; they persist in school districts of all sizes despite concerted efforts on many levels. The need to create a positive school environment and culture where students can learn and thrive and teachers feel safe, supported, and empowered is more important than ever. In fact, safety and discipline is a basic component tied to teacher turnover.  As districts compete for qualified educators, the importance of meeting this basic component becomes even more apparent.

Even as the news headlines regularly focus on extreme safety incidents on school campuses, our data continues to support that everyday safety incidents, such as behavior and medical emergencies, are continuing to increase and represent the vast majority of CrisisAlert usage.

In our Spring 2022 School Safety Trends report, we deliver our latest, comprehensive analysis of school safety incidents gathered from our CrisisAlert usage data. We also examine survey feedback from staff who have used the platform to extract insights into school safety, including its role in teacher retention and recruitment.

1. Providing safety and security solutions for teachers and staff is important for teacher retention and recruitment.
2. The rate of safety incidents continues to trend upwards, and elementary schools continue to be the highest users.
3. Almost half of all safety incidents occur outside the classroom.
4. Teachers prefer the badge to call for help as opposed to traditional options like wall-mounted panic buttons or mobile phones.
5. Discretion is crucial for de-escalation, which traditional safety alert options can’t provide.
6. CrisisAlert has 100% adoption; the badge is easiest to use.

What does this mean for educators and school districts?

​​Schools across the country are seeing teacher shortages, and education leaders understand the importance of recruiting and retaining qualified teachers. Ensuring they feel safe and supported in the event of an emergency is a vital component of teacher retention and recruitment. Dr. Roderick “Rocky” Sams, Chief Development Officer, CENTEGIX and a former teacher and principal, noted this is a trend affecting schools nationwide, “Nobody is immune to this. In the current climate, school leaders must create an environment in which teachers feel safe. If you can’t guarantee their safety, they can’t effectively teach. That can determine whether they stay or go.” 

Foremost among the needs of teachers is the expectation that they work in a safe, supported environment in which they know they can get help when they need it. While no classroom or school district can be considered immune from incidents–be they safety-related, medical issues, or otherwise–the data shows that it is paramount that districts implement tools and processes centered on ensuring teachers feel secure.

This has driven demand for solutions like CrisisAlert, from CENTEGIX, an innovative solution that equips teachers and staff with the fastest and easiest way to call for help in emergencies from the everyday to the extreme. CrisisAlert is unique in its ability to deliver precise alert location, immediate audio and visual incident notifications (including lighted strobes, screen messages, and intercom integration) for campus-wide incidents, and 100% full campus coverage. With the simple push of a button on a wearable badge, an alert instantly reaches administrators and responders.

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