Lockdown or active shooter drill? The distinction matters for children’s safety and well-being

Most US states, 37 of 50, mandate some form of active shooter or lockdown drill in schools, but researchers say the two practices are routinely and misleadingly conflated. Lockdown drills involve locking doors, dimming lights, and moving out of sight; active shooter simulations can include actors, fake gunfire, and simulated blood, and are practiced far less often, according to teacher surveys.

A widely cited statistic that 95% of US schools conduct 'active shooter drills' actually refers to basic lockdown practice, not high-intensity simulations, a mislabeling repeated even in an influential National Academies report. Research on lockdowns shows some benefit, including lower fear and better preparedness among students, while high-intensity simulations carry documented psychological risks with no evidence they improve real-world outcomes.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.