Kingsview Middle School

January 31, 2025
Dear Parents/ Guardians:
Maryland enacted legislation in 2024 (Chapter 182) to improve school safety preparedness while prioritizing student and staff well-being. This law prohibits the use of techniques that simulate an active assailant scenario in training and drills. To further enhance school safety practices, the law requires MCSS to collaborate with an institute of higher education to study the effectiveness and impact of lockdown drills on students, parents, and school staff. To support this research, MCSS has partnered with the National Center for School Mental Health (NCSMH) to develop a
data collection survey for distribution following an active assailant lockdown drill.

Effective immediately, all Maryland public schools must provide these brief, anonymous surveys to students, parents, and school staff following lockdown DRILLS. NCSMH will collect and analyze submissions and provide an annual summary of findings to MCSS. This research will inform best practices for school safety drills and training in an effort to ensure that active assailant lockdown drills effectively prepare the school community for emergencies while minimizing potential negative impacts on student mental health.

MCSS developed a one-page document that includes survey details, links, and QR codes for each stakeholder group. The document is also available for download on the MCSS webpage. Schools may share survey information in whatever format best meets their needs.

Grades 6-12 Student Survey bit.ly/LockdownStudent
This survey will collect feedback about the student experience after the lockdown drill.

Parent Survey bit.ly/LockdownParent
This survey will collect feedback on the K-12 parent experience after a lockdown drill. It is also designed for parents of K-5 students to inform K-5 student experiences.

Questions may be directed to kimberly.buckheit1@maryland.gov.