Date of Award

Summer 7-2015

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Education

First Advisor

Dr. Phillip Guy

Second Advisor

Dr. Brian Wilson

Third Advisor

Dr. Sherry DeVore

Abstract

This study was focused on the perceptions of teachers and administrators from southwest Missouri high schools regarding the impact of Active Shooter Intruder Response Training (ASIRT). Perceptions of school safety, school climate, and preparedness for an active shooter were collected through focus group interviews. Participants for this study included four teachers and four principals randomly selected from a stratified crosssection of southwest Missouri high schools, based on enrollment. Also interviewed was Senator Dan Brown, primary sponsor of Missouri Senate Bill 75 (2013). Missouri Senate Bill 75 was signed into law by the Governor of Missouri in 2013 and mandates intruder training for Missouri school districts. The findings of this study were that teachers and administrators reported greater feelings of safety, climate, and preparedness for an intruder after participating in ASIRT. According to Senator Brown, the bill was originally authored to allow each school district the opportunity to determine how to best train staff for the event of an active shooter. Findings revealed that ASIRT was designed primarily to better provide safe learning environments for students and school staff, allowing higher levels of teaching and learning. Maslow’s (1954) theory of motivation–hierarchy of needs was the theoretical framework of this study, which states all humans must have the basic need of safety met before further development can take place. This theory paralleled the literature reviewed for this study, which indicated students perform at higher levels when they have a greater sense of safety.

Rights

Copyright 2015

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