School Safety Requirement in Ohio

The Ohio Department of Education would like your assistance in getting a message to schools about compliance  with a school safety requirement. Since the new school safety law went into effect in January 2015, the  Center for P-20 Safety and Security has worked hard with each school in Ohio to have a compliant safety plan.  In 2017, we have begun to enforce the final component of the law — the Emergency Management Test or EMT.  The EMT requires schools to test their school emergency management plans and report to the Ohio  Department of Education certain data about the EMT. To assist schools, we have provided resources and  FAQs at saferschools.ohio.gov, click on the blue emergency management test button on the right.  Schools with plans deemed compliant in 2015 and 2016 are required to complete a test and report it  by Dec. 31, 2017. Please let your schools know that this requirement must be fulfilled by the end  of this year or superintendents and principals could be referred to the Office of Professional Conduct. If your schools believe they have completed this requirement, they can check in SAFE to see the date of  their EMT in the EMT column. If a school still sees “add 2017 EMT,” please call (614) 644-2641 for assistance.  If you have additional questions, call the Center for P-20 Safety and Security at (614) 644-2641 or send  an email to saferschools@dps.ohio.gov.