Singlewire Software Report Reveals Gaps in K–12 School Entrance Security
Single Software recently released its first-ever School Entrance Security Report based on more than 500 responses from U.S. school staff members. According to a news release, the findings highlight a gap between K–12 leaders’ wishes for school safety and how safe the schools actually are, as well as the challenges facing students and staff in that goal. Only 17 percent of respondents called their schools’ entrances “completely secure”; the most commonly cited challenges included “guests not following check-in procedures (31 percent)” and “lack of staff” (30 percent).
“While schools are prioritizing safety at their entrances, challenges and gaps remain,” said Joanna Haugland, chief product officer for Visitor Aware at Singlewire Software. “As schools look for ways to further enhance entrance safety, proactive tools that help identify potential threats and prevent them from accessing buildings will play a crucial role in keeping students and staff safe from harm.”
According to the news release, key insights from the report include:
- Fifty-nine percent of schools reported that entrances are monitored 24/7, while 32 percent said entrances are monitored during the school day.
- Half of respondents rated their schools’ security protocols as “Good,” and another 32 percent called them “Excellent.”
- About 89 percent of schools currently have video surveillance in place.
- Only 1 percent of respondents said that their schools do not use an established communication system.
“School safety starts at the front door,” said Terry Swanson, Singlewire Software president and CEO. “With a secure entrance, schools have the opportunity to stop threats before they gain access to the building.”
About the Author
Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].