Introducing PASS Guidelines Version 7

The Seventh Edition Guidelines provide the most comprehensive recommendations yet for addressing the evolving security challenges facing today’s schools.

The Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) has released the seventh edition of its Safety and Security Guidelines for K-12 Schools, offering the most comprehensive information available on nationwide best practices for securing school facilities, based on input from subject matter experts across the education, public safety, and industry sectors.

The PASS Security and Safety Guidelines provide school administrators, school boards, and public safety and security professionals with a road map for implementing a layered and tiered approach to enhancing the safety of school environments, along with a tool to prioritize needs. Thousands of stakeholders have downloaded the Guidelines free of charge, and many districts have utilized them to evaluate and enhance their security infrastructure and procedures. 

What are the fundamentals of the PASS Guidelines?

The Guidelines outline approaches within five physical layers of security for school facilities. The five layers are: 

1. District-wide
2. Digital infrastructure
3. Campus perimeter
4. Building perimeter
5. Classroom/interior

Within each layer, the resource outlines key safety and security components, including:

• Policies and procedures
• People (roles and training)
• Architectural elements
• Communication
• Access control
• Video surveillance
• Detection and alarms

The PASS Guidelines provide stakeholders with valuable and potentially lifesaving information and knowledge, including:

• Specific actions that can effectively raise the baseline of security
• Vetted security practices specific to K-12 environments
• Objective and reliable information on available safety and security technology
• Multiple options for addressing security needs
• Help distinguishing necessary and effective solutions from sales pitches or unnecessary products

What’s new in the Seventh Edition PASS Guidelines?

The seventh edition release – including updates to the Safety and Security Guidelines and the School Safety and Security Checklist – improves on previous versions of the PASS guidance to make it more comprehensive, easier to use, and more reflective of K-12 schools’ evolving security needs and challenges. There are many new features in the seventh edition of the PASS Guidelines, including the following significant updates:

 Introduction of a New Digital Infrastructure Layer 

The new digital infrastructure layer recognizes the importance of cybersecurity and attentive management of digital systems and data. This takes a converged approach to security, dramatically expanding PASS beyond its previous primary focus on physical security.

Unification of the Property Perimeter and Parking Lot Layers Into the New Campus Perimeter Layer 

The many volunteer school security experts involved with PASS recognized that these layers are interconnected and more efficiently approached from a unified safety standpoint.

Detailed Guidance on Visitor Entry 

In addition to traffic-flow diagrams and example floor plans, this edition also provides extensive coverage of aspects such as visitor management processes, which can introduce vulnerability without proper attention to detail.

Greater Content on Physical Hardening 

From topics like door construction and window glazings to security film and reinforcement of classroom walls, the Seventh Edition Guidelines add greater depth of content on aspects of physical hardening (using security-focused design, construction, and equipment to make the physical environment more resistant to threats) than previous editions.

Expanded Information on Panic Alarm Systems 

As panic alarm systems have gained value through innovation and have continued to prove helpful in school emergencies, the newest edition adds guidance on this vital and evolving solution.

 In-Depth Coverage of Door Locks and Door Devices 

Properly locking doors is an essential component in a school, and this version covers the complexities of school-specific lock requirements with great nuance.

How important are the PASS Guidelines for K-12 school safety?

We believe they are essential, and we’re not alone. Since 2020, the PASS Guidelines have been included on SchoolSafety.gov, the federal government’s clearinghouse for best practice information across a range of school safety topics. In 2019, PASS was recognized by the Federal Commission on School Safety, as well as in other state commissions and reports.

“I’m so proud of our technical committee and the effort that went into the seventh edition PASS Guidelines – more than a year of discussion and seeking input from school officials went into this revision. Integrated security and life safety solutions, combined with cloud and power over Ethernet and wireless technologies, created the need for an entirely new layer titled Digital Infrastructure,” said Chuck Wilson, chair of the PASS Board of Directors. “Version 7 embraces the emerging technologies while maintaining our fundamental belief that the basic and foundational methods and solutions are necessary. This is our best work yet. The updated Guidelines and Checklist can flow directly into the threat assessment and the school district’s comprehensive safety plan.”

The latest Guidelines and a matching checklist tool are available at no cost right here on our website. PASS encourages education professionals, public safety personnel, and security solutions providers to take advantage of these free resources. Contact us to learn more about PASS or to become a partner in support of its mission to protect schools.

About PASS

The Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) bringing together expertise from the education, public safety, and industry communities to develop and support a coordinated approach to making effective and appropriate decisions with respect to safety and security investments. You can download the complete PASS Guidelines here, or check out our PASS Safety and Security Checklist for quick tips on how to get started.  These resources—as well as white papers on various topics including barricade devices, lockdown drills, and more—are available at no cost.