BTAM in Schools

makenzieperkins42
Sep 29
2 min read

While physical security measures are important, schools often spend more resources reacting to potential violent incidents than investing in preventative strategies that stop problems before they escalate to violent attacks. Many acts of targeted violence can be prevented. One of the most effective tools schools can use to prevent violence is Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) — a proactive, research-based approach that focuses on identifying and supporting students before a crisis occurs.

What Is BTAM?

BTAM is a structured process used by schools to:

Identify individuals exhibiting concerning behaviors.
Assess the risk of harm to self or others.
Manage the situation through intervention and support.

Unlike traditional disciplinary approaches, BTAM isn’t about punishment. It focuses on understanding the reasons behind a student’s behavior and providing the support, guidance, and interventions needed to redirect them away from the pathway to violence.

How It Works

A successful BTAM program includes:

A multidisciplinary team: Counselors, administrators, law enforcement, and mental health professionals collaborate to assess and manage threats. Ideally teams are composed of 4-9 individuals.
Clear procedures: Teams follow a step-by-step protocol to gather information, evaluate risk, and determine next steps. There are many models a school can be trained on, including CSTAG, Salem-Keizer, The Florida Model, and others.
Ongoing training: Staff are trained to recognize concerning behaviors and understand how to report them, BTAM members receive annual training (at a minimum).
Supportive interventions: Rather than relying solely on punishment, student behavior is guided through proactive, supportive measures that address the root causes and promote positive outcomes

Why It Matters

School violence is often preceded by warning signs (check out my previous post- The Pathway To Violence). BTAM helps schools recognize these signs early and respond with care, not fear.

By focusing on prevention, BTAM:

Identifies concerning behaviors before they escalate into violence.
Provides structured, evidence-based interventions tailored to the situation.
Encourages collaboration between school staff, mental health professionals, and law enforcement.
Reduces unnecessary punitive measures while promoting student support.
Strengthens overall school safety and builds a culture of trust and connection.