Coalition for Transforming School Safety
Our Vermont-based Coalition for Transforming School Safety (formerly the Police out of Schools Coalition) came together in the summer of 2020 to dispel the myth that schools are safer with police in Vermont schools. As a statewide Coalition, our focus includes alternatives to police and dialogue around how to keep schools safe and how to implement restorative and transformative justice in schools.
Our Coalition includes Vermont Legal Aid, Vermont Human Rights Commission, Outright Vermont, Neighbors for a Safer St. Albans, All Brains Belong, ACLU of Vermont, Vermont Center for Independent Living, and The Education Justice Coalition of Vermont.
Narratives for Change
A coalition of organizations in Vermont is launching a powerful storytelling project that aims to shed light on experiences with harassment, hazing, and bullying in schools.
Launched in October 2023, this project seeks to raise awareness about the impact of these negative behaviors and advocate for positive change within schools statewide. We believe that by sharing collective stories, we can create connections and validation that support a healing process for affected students.
Behavioral Threat Assessments
Currently, Vermont schools are not required to do Behavior Threat Assessments. However, all schools will be required to have a trained Behavioral Threat Assessment Team by July 1, 2025. There are limits on when a Behavioral Threat Assessment can be used. Learn the facts about threat assessments, how they can put children (especially those with marginalized identities) at risk, and what you can do if a child you know is undergoing a threat assessment.
Police Out of Schools Toolkit
In spring of 2022 we launched our collaborative Police Out of Schools Toolkit. Here you’re find a compilation of wisdom including location and national research as well as resources and stories from our grassroots movement in Vermont.
Our Videos
Events We’ve Held
September 2020 – Should Police be in Vermont Schools?
October 2020 – Alternatives to Policing in Vermont Schools
December 2020 – Chat with us about getting police out of schools – Vermont Legal Aid Dispelling Myths Factsheet
March 2021 – From Restorative Justice to Transformative Justice: Foundations of Restorative Justice – Punitive – Restorative – Transformative Justice Comparison Tool
May 2021 – From Transformative Justice to Restorative Justice: Exploring Youth-led Restorative Justice
Feb 2024 - Our Children are Not a Threat: Keeping Children Safe in the Age of Threat Assessments