Bullying | News

Oklahoma City Public Schools Subscribes to Anonymous Incident Reporting Service

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 09/10/12

The largest school district in Oklahoma has implemented a new anonymous reporting tool to allow people to report problems, such as bullying, drug use, and vandalism. The Oklahoma City Public School District (OKCPS) has contracted with Awareity to use its Threat Assessment, Incident Management, and Prevention Services (TIPS), purchased through a state grant.

The service, which is available in multiple languages, allows users to fill out an online form specifying the school, type of incident, and details about the incident itself, such as identities of the people being reported, victims or potential victims, and a description. Or they can choose to use a call-in number to report a problem by phone. The phone reporting system offers an English or Spanish speaking operator who will take callers through the incident reporting process.

Once an incident has been reported, designated OKCPS staff members will be automatically notified for potential follow-up.

The program allows school staff to maintain a record of the recommendations and actions taken, including an audit trail of which members viewed and added information. The software also notifies members when a record is updated. The district can set automatic reminders when it's time to check in with a student who has been recently victimized or other items earmarked for follow-up.

"OKCPS must provide a safe environment in order for our students to reach their academic goals and be successful," said Deputy Superintendent Sandra Park. "This new system provides another tool in reporting, addressing, and intervening on incidents to ensure the safety for our students and staff."

The Oklahoma district has selected school principals, counselors, school resource officers, along with specific district staff to receive alerts "to ensure incidents are investigated and addressed in a timely manner," Park added.