Report page 54

Adoption analysis covers 50 percent of principals (n = 866) present at initial implementation

Sample (n = 866 of 1746) · All principals who completed the survey and received a weight (weighted to national K-12 public school principals/schools)

we focus on the 50 percent of principals in our sample (n = 866) who said they were at their current school for that school’s initial implementation of BTAM

• Adoption Reasons
• Sample

cite page 54 Ch 7: Why Did Schools Adopt Specific BTAM Models?

Survey gave principals seven possible adoption reasons and asked them to select up to three

Our survey provided principals a list of seven possible reasons for the initial adoption of BTAM at their school and asked them to select up to three that best explain their context.

• Adoption Reasons
• Survey Methodology

cite page 54 Ch 7: Why Did Schools Adopt Specific BTAM Models?

Of respondents naming drivers, 40 percent picked one reason, 29 percent two, 26 percent three

Sample (N = 452) · Principals answering the implementation drivers question

(Forty percent picked one reason, 29 percent picked two, and 26 percent picked three.)

• Adoption Reasons

cite page 54 Ch 7: Why Did Schools Adopt Specific BTAM Models?

59 percent of principals selected best practice for violence prevention as a main driver of adoption

Sample (N = 452) · Principals answering the implementation drivers question

The perception that BTAM is a best practice for violence prevention topped the list of reasons why schools implemented BTAM in the first place: 59 percent of principals selected this option as a main driver.

• Adoption Reasons

cite page 54 Ch 7: Why Did Schools Adopt Specific BTAM Models?

Next most common driver was school- or district-level policy requirements

The next most common driver was policy requirements set at either the school or district level, which we discuss in more detail below.

• Adoption Reasons
• State Policy Mandates

cite page 54 Ch 7: Why Did Schools Adopt Specific BTAM Models?

Other drivers: liability 11 percent, outside organizations 8 percent, school community 5 percent

Sample (N = 452) · Principals answering the implementation drivers question

Few respondents selected other reasons as main drivers: Only 11 percent of principals reported that their school had concerns about being held liable in cases of school violence; 8 percent said that other organizations on which their school depends (e.g., local law enforcement) encouraged them to adopt a BTAM program; and 5 percent said their school community wanted them to adopt a BTAM program.

• Adoption Reasons
• Law Enforcement

cite page 54 Ch 7: Why Did Schools Adopt Specific BTAM Models?

5 percent of principals said BTAM was implemented directly in response to a violent incident

Sample (N = 452) · Principals answering the implementation drivers question

Notably, 5 percent of principals reported that their school implemented BTAM directly in response to a violent incident in their school or district.

• Adoption Reasons

cite page 54 Ch 7: Why Did Schools Adopt Specific BTAM Models?

Schools adopt BTAM mainly for a few reasons: best-practice belief and state or local requirements

Taken together, these patterns suggest that schools are primarily adopting BTAM programs for a small number of reasons—most notably their belief that it is a best practice for school safety and because of state or local requirements.

• Adoption Reasons

cite page 54 Ch 7: Why Did Schools Adopt Specific BTAM Models?

Violent incidents and community encouragement may be fringe reasons, likely not driving factors

We interpret these results as an indication that other factors—such as experiencing a violent incident or school community encouragement—may be fringe contributing reasons but are likely not the driving factors for BTAM adoption.

• Adoption Reasons

cite page 54 Ch 7: Why Did Schools Adopt Specific BTAM Models?

Principals in early-mandate or early-encouragement states saw policy as a driver

Sample (N = 452 total; column N not printed) · Principals answering the implementation drivers question

Interestingly, principals in states that mandated BTAM early (i.e., in 2019) or strongly encouraged its adoption early (also in 2019) perceived that such policies were a driver for BTAM adoption at their schools (e.g., half of the principals in states with early legislation said that state or local law was a main driver in their decision to implement BTAM) (see the purple box in Figure 7.1).

• Adoption Reasons
• State Policy Mandates

cite page 54 Ch 7: Why Did Schools Adopt Specific BTAM Models?

Principals were asked about personal involvement in initial implementation of a named or local model

We asked all principals whether they were personally involved in the initial implementation of their school’s BTAM model and whether they reported using a named BTAM model or one that was locally created for their context.

• Adoption Reasons
• Named Models

cite page 54 Ch 7: Why Did Schools Adopt Specific BTAM Models?

Involved principals were asked why the school or district adopted BTAM and what steps preceded it

If they were, we asked why their school or district initially adopted a BTAM approach and about any steps the school or district may have taken prior to implementation.

• Adoption Reasons
• Pre Implementation Planning

cite page 54 Ch 7: Why Did Schools Adopt Specific BTAM Models?

Nearly all respondents identified between one and three main drivers

Excluding those respondents who said they did not know about the main drivers for implementation, nearly all respondents identified between one and three reasons as main drivers.

• Adoption Reasons

cite page 54 Ch 7: Why Did Schools Adopt Specific BTAM Models?