School security is an issue on the minds of all students, parents, faculty and staff after the recent tragedy at Virginia Tech. With the possibility of these tragic events, or any violent events happening at any school across the country, many are wondering what is being done to keep students safe, and what is in the future of school security?

To help students learn at their highest potential, they must first be in a safe learning environment that allows them to excel academically and socially. According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, security is the second most influential of all human needs that influences the motivation and personality of all individuals (Raspa and Zalenski. 2006). Making schools a safe place for children to learn can help them become lifelong learners, and develop into contributing members of society.

Most educators agree that creating a safe school is one in which the total school climate allows students, teachers, administrators, staff, and visitors to interact in a positive, nonthreatening manner that reflects the educational mission of the school while fostering positive relationships and personal growth(Smith and Sandhu, 2004).