DOE Home

Office of Safe Schools

Safe Passage Act: District Safety & Security Self-Assessments

Violent events in schools around the country have brought increased focus on school safety. The Safe Passage Act was a product of the 2001 Legislature to ensure every child a safe passage through Florida's education system.

The goal of this legislation is for every district to have a clearly directed safety and security program that is effective and cost efficient in meeting its intended purpose. That program would include comprehensive plans and procedures that promote the safety and security of students and staff, ensure that school facilities and equipment are safe and in good condition, and address the safe transportation of students.

The links below provide information compiled to assist Florida's school districts in their safety and security self-assessments.

2008 Safety and Security Self Assessments (Year 7)

• Revised Best Practices for Safety and Security - (Word) (May 20, 2008)
• Technical Assistance Paper - (Word) (May 20, 2008)

2007 Safety and Security Self Assessments (Year 6)

• Revised Best Practices for Safety and Security - (Word) (March 29, 2007)
• Technical Assistance Paper - (Word) (March 29, 2007)

2006 Safety and Security Self Assessments (Year 5)

• Revised Best Practices for Safety and Security- (Word) (February 20, 2006)
• Technical Assistance Paper (PDF) (February 20, 2006)

2005 Safety and Security Self Assessments (Year 4)

• 2005 District Safety and Security Self-Assessment Reports (May 24, 2005)
• Revised Best Practices for Safety and Security - (Word) (February 17, 2005)
• Technical Assistance Paper- (Word) (February 17, 2005)

2004 Safety and Security Self Assessments (Year 3)

• 2004 District Safety and Security Self-Assessment Reports (May 12, 2004)
• Revised Best Practices for Safety and Security - (Word) (November 17, 2003)
• Technical Assistance Paper- (Word) (December 22, 2003)

2003 Safety and Security Self Assessments (Year 2)

• OPPAGA Information Brief (March 31, 2004) (PDF)
  Summary of District Self-Assessment Reports submitted in 2003.
• 2003 District Safety and Security Self-Assessment Reports (May 27, 2003)
  This link includes each district's self-assessment report.
• Crosswalk Document (February 24, 2003)
  This document cross-references Best Practices and Indicators between the current form and last year's form. Our thanks to Mike Ganio and Orange County Public Schools for sharing this tool. Word or PDF
• Letter to Superintendents (November 22, 2002) PDF
  This is the cover letter that accompanied the Technical Assistance Paper (below) and final version of the Best Practices for Safety and Security.
• Technical Assistance Paper (November 22, 2002) (PDF) How to comply with the Safe Passage Act.
• Revised Best Practices for Safety and Security (November 8, 2002)
  Best Practices for Safety and Security Word or PDF Best Practices for Safety and Security (with Indicators) Word or PDF

2002 Safety and Security Self Assessments (Year 1)

• OPPAGA Information Brief (September 30, 2002) (PDF)
  Summary of District Self-Assessment Reports submitted in 2002.
• 2002 District Safety and Security Self-Assessment Reports (July 1, 2002)
  This link includes each district's self-assessment report.
• Process for Submittal of Safety and Security Self-Assessments (June 7, 2002) (PDF)
  This is the memorandum to Superintendents on the report submittal process.

Additional Resources

• Florida Statutes: Safety and Security Best Practices
  Section 1006.07(6), F.S. which requires the district safety and security self-assessments.
• OPPAGA: School Safety and Security
  This is a link to the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability School Safety and Security web site which includes general information on the Best Practices for Safety and Security.

Questions on complying with the requirements of the Safe Passage Act can be directed to Julie Collins, Office of Safe and Healthy Schools at julie.collins@fldoe.org or by telephone at (850) 245-0676.

For questions & comments regarding education issues: | For questions & comments regarding this Web site: E-mail Webmaster
Accessibility | Copyright Florida Department of Education ©2005 | Privacy Statement | Public Records
Free Downloads: Acrobat Reader | Excel Viewer 2003 | Word Viewer 97/2000 | PowerPoint Viewer 2003
Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.