Updated K-12 Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) Standards 

By: Tim Cason, M.Ed., and Natasha Begin, M.Ed. 

To promote the safety and well-being of school communities, NABITA offers school-based Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) standards as proactive best practices for K-12 schools and districts. The latest updates to NABITA’s K-12 BTAM Standards incorporate field research and address emerging challenges facing schools today. These enhancements include improved guidelines for receiving and managing referrals of concerning behavior, taking a holistic approach to case management, and ensuring the overall effectiveness of BTAM programs. 

Aligned with the updated standards designed to help schools evaluate and improve their BTAM practices, NABITA recently hosted a members-only event tailored specifically for K-12 practitioners. This interactive session offered actionable strategies to refine school policies and procedures, helping schools strengthen their BTAM practices and better support their communities. Access the event recording here.  

Below, we’ve highlighted key insights from this insightful discussion. We also recommend that you print and reference the NABITA Standards one-pager here.  

Enhancements to K-12 Standards 

The updated K-12 standards promote a holistic approach to risk management and bring significant improvements, including: 

• Embracing Recent Research: New findings underscore the critical role of early intervention in identifying risks and preventing harm. Studies from the Violence Project emphasize the importance of addressing subtle warning signs early, significantly reducing the chances of crises escalating into violence 
• Updated Naming Conventions and Adaptable Framework: Specifically designed for the distinct needs and dynamics of K-12 schools and districts (rather than adapting higher education models), they offer a flexible framework for varying resources and contexts 
• Sharper Focus: We’ve narrowed our focus to highlight the top 10 most essential and helpful priorities for the K-12 environment 
• Improved Benchmarking: The Standards provide a high-level perspective to evaluate whether processes are working effectively for your school or district, offering a clear yardstick for measurement 
• Strengthened Advocacy Tool: With so many competing priorities, getting school leadership and the community on board with necessary changes can sometimes be challenging. The Standards can be used to educate leaders and communities about the importance of quality referrals, objective threat assessment processes, and the response mechanisms needed to best mitigate the presenting concerns and threat(s). Use these tools to advocate for the resources, training, and support needed to carry out this critical work

The 10 Standards for BTAMs 

These proactive guidelines empower K-12 school officials to address concerning behaviors early, develop strategies for objective threat assessment, implement effective interventions, and continuously improve their practices through assessment and collaboration. In summary, the Standards are: 

1. Establish a Multi-Disciplinary Team: Build a new team or expand the focus of an existing one, such as a threat assessment or support team, to ensure a collaborative approach to school safety and support 
2. Train BTAM Professionals: Offer continuous training to BTAM members to ensure they are informed and effective in carrying out their work 
3. Develop BTAM Procedures: Adopt written, detailed procedures to guide all aspects of threat assessment and management practices  
4. Establish a Referral Process: Design a clear and accessible referral process, while ensuring the community knows when and how to make referrals 
5. Review Referrals and Discuss Cases: Implement a proactive approach by holding regular meetings and following a structured process to address referrals and cases 
6. Engage in Objective Risk Assessment: Use evidence-based tools and methods to ensure assessments are impartial, avoiding speculation or bias 
7. Deploy Interventions: Implement interventions based on objective risk assessments, ensuring they meet each student’s unique needs 
8. Educate the Community: Proactively communicate with the school community about the referral process, what to refer, and what happens after a referral is made 
9. Document BTAM Activities: Keep detailed records of BTAM activities, ensuring compliance with privacy and school or state laws, report trends, adjust resources, and demonstrate thorough practices 
10. Assess the Effectiveness and Quality of BTAM Efforts: Regularly evaluate the impact of BTAM efforts through internal or external reviews, data collection, and reporting 

By implementing these updated K-12 BTAM standards, schools and districts can foster safer and more supportive learning environments for their students, staff, and communities.  

Discover how NABITA’s K-12 BTAM Standards empower schools and districts to proactively identify and address student risks and safety concerns before they escalate. Read the complete K-12 BTAM Standards, available exclusively to members through the My NABITA portal. Not a member? Join NABITA today. Looking for tailored solutions? Contact our team today to explore customizable tools to create safer, more supportive learning environments.