The School Behavioral Threat Assessment (SBTA) Manual has been designed by the Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) in response to feedback provided by districts during the TxSSC’s Operationalizing School Behavioral Threat Assessment (OSBTA) Technical Assistance (TA) sessions. The manual will assist districts and open-enrollment charter schools with operationalizing their SBTA program. It was developed using the National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) Model, the 8-Step of building a threat assessment program, the legislatively mandated TxSSC Model Policies and Procedures, and all other applicable SBTA Texas legislative mandates.

Districts can use the manual to develop their own district-specific SBTA manual or use portions or resources within the manual to supplement their current manual. Districts should always refer to FFB (LEGAL & LOCAL) policy to avoid developing a procedure that contradicts current district policy. The TxSSC also recommends the Superintendent and legal counsel be informed of any changes to the district’s SBTA procedures to ensure awareness and adherence to this legislatively mandated process.

Please keep in mind that a district SBTA Manual is not intended to be made available to the general public, therefore it should not be posted on the district’s website or distributed to non-SBTA team members. Training on this manual or district procedures for teams conducting threat assessments does not suffice as the required state-mandated training mentioned in Texas Education Code Chapter 37.115. That training must be provided by the Texas School Safety Center or an approved Education Service Center.

A detailed list of resources is contained in the Appendix at the end of this document. Any resources referenced throughout this document will be linked in blue and are available in the Appendix.