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.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • students using digital devices, surrounded by abstract AI motifs and soft geometric design

    Ed Tech Startup Kira Launches AI-Native Learning Platform

    A new K-12 learning platform aims to bring personalized education to every student. Kira, one of the latest ed tech ventures from Andrew Ng, former director of Stanford's AI Lab and co-founder of Coursera and DeepLearning.AI, "integrates artificial intelligence directly into every educational workflow — from lesson planning and instruction to grading, intervention, and reporting," according to a news announcement.

  • toolbox featuring a circuit-like AI symbol and containing a screwdriver, wrench, and hammer

    Microsoft Launches AI Tools for Educators

    Microsoft has introduced a variety of AI tools aimed at helping educators develop personalized learning experiences for their students, create content more efficiently, and increase student engagement.

  • laptop displaying a red padlock icon sits on a wooden desk with a digital network interface background

    Reports Point to Domain Controllers as Prime Ransomware Targets

    A recent report from Microsoft reinforces warns of the critical role Active Directory (AD) domain controllers play in large-scale ransomware attacks, aligning with U.S. government advisories on the persistent threat of AD compromise.

  • Two hands shaking in the center with subtle technology icons, graphs, binary code, and a padlock in the dark blue background

    Two Areas for K-12 Schools to Assess for When to Work with a Managed Services Provider

    The complexity of today’s IT network infrastructure and increased cybersecurity risk are quickly moving beyond many school districts’ ability to manage on their own. But a new technology model, a partnership with a managed services provider, offers a way forward for schools to overcome these challenges.