A survey reveals the need to listen to student voices in safety preparedness, according to an article in K-12 Dive.
Students feel safer in schools when their safety concerns are heard: 71% of students in grades 6-12 who feel safe during the school day agree that their school takes their safety concerns seriously, according to a report by YouthTruth, a nonprofit that prioritizes student voice in improving schools.
More than two-thirds of secondary students (67%) feel safest in their classrooms, Nearly 80% of elementary students and 75% of middle and high school students do not feel safe on school buses.
A gap exists between school staff and student perceptions of safety responsiveness. The survey found 82% of middle school staff say their school takes staff safety concerns seriously, but only 65% of middle school students agreed.
Staff-student differences exist in witnessing physical fights: 18% of high school students say they often witness fights and only 9% of staff say the same.
Differences in perspectives on school preparedness for security threats and natural disasters also surfaced: 83% of high school staff said their school has provided clear safety instructions for security threats; only 59% of high school students agreed.
“These disparities matter because they reflect deeper gaps in trust, belonging, and protection at a time when concerns about school safety are high,” says Camilla Valerio, lead researcher and analyst at YouthTruth. “Schools must respond by pairing safety planning with intentional efforts to listen to students, build trust and include student voices in safety decisions.”
K-12 Dive
