From Security Guard Services Magazines
Singlewire Software recently released the findings of its new report, “2026 State of Safety & Operational Readiness in K-12 Schools.”
Following up on its inaugural 2025 School Entrance study, this year’s research captured responses from more than 500 school staff members across the United States, revealing “a critical disconnect between school safety priorities and the daily reality of campus security,” according to the company announcement.
“Prioritizing school safety means recognizing that security vulnerabilities aren’t limited to the front door—they are rooted in operational gaps across the entire campus,” says Terry Swanson, president and CEO of Singlewire Software, in the announcement.
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A new report on the state of school safety reveals significant gaps in emergency readiness and operational security across U.S. K-12 campuses. Despite the national expansion of Alyssa’s Law, which mandates silent panic alarms, nearly 40% of teachers report having no panic button in place at their school.
The 2026 Safety and Operational Readiness Report, released by Singlewire Software, highlights a disparity between school administrators and teaching staff. While 45% of administrators have access to mounted panic buttons, only 19% of teachers report the same. Overall, only one in five staff members feels “extremely confident” that help will arrive quickly after a request for assistance.
Staffing shortages have emerged as the primary obstacle to securing school buildings. The number of respondents citing a lack of staff as a major challenge rose from 30% in 2025 to 46% in 2026. While 86% of school staff prioritize front entrance security, only 16% believe their entrances are “completely secure”.