School Counselors' Perceptions and Understandings of Lockdown Drills: Navigating the Paradox of Safety and Fear

SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: https://sagepub.com

Y

31

School Counselors; Counselor Attitudes; Emergency Programs; School Safety; Drills (Practice); Fear; School Violence; Planning; Readiness; Experience; Elementary Secondary Education; Public Schools; Communication (Thought Transfer); Social Media

10.1177/08959048211032667

0895-9048
1552-3896

This research sought to develop an initial understanding of how mandated policies related to lockdown safety drills are enacted in response to active shooter scenarios within PK-Grade 12 public schools. In light of a scant research base exploring the effectiveness and impacts of such policies and procedures, we explored the question, "What are school counselors' lived experiences with lockdown drills?". Using a phenomenological design, we interviewed 26 school counselors from five school districts from the Southeastern United States during the 2019 academic year. Findings center around four key themes: Awareness of School Violence, Necessity and Variability in Preparation, Paradox of Safety, and Communication as Support and Challenge. We will discuss the tensions, or push and pulls/contradictions, that are a part of both drills and actual incidents across these themes. To conclude, we present recommendations for further research and policy to support informed, reflexive action.

As Provided

2023

EJ1365072