School Security Trends: Predictions and Aspirations for 2026

This article outlines predictions and aspirations for school security in 2026, emphasizing a shift toward integrated, personnel-driven safety strategies. Written by a school security expert at the Idaho State Board of Education, it is relevant for state and local education staff involved in facilities master planning and capital improvement processes, as it argues that strategic security planning must be integrated into these broader institutional frameworks to be effective.

The resource highlights the positive integration of evidence-based behavioral threat assessment and management (BTAM) with multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) to improve school culture and robust prevention efforts. It identifies a critical coalescence in the field through the release of foundational standards and tools, including the ASIS International ANSI School Security Standard, the PASS School Safety and Security Guidelines (Version 7), and professional development from the National Council of School Safety Directors.

Additionally, the author addresses challenges such as one-size-fits-all government mandates that may overlook a facility’s unique condition, threat profile, or location, potentially leading to security theater. A significant portion of the resource focuses on the balance between technology and human intervention, specifically in the context of artificial intelligence (AI) and visual weapons detection. The author asserts that technology is a tool rather than a standalone solution, noting that the human component and procedures are often the primary points of failure in security incidents, rather than the technology itself. Ultimately, the resource advocates for using collective expertise and resources to create environments where students and educators are both physically and emotionally safe.