In this featured piece by Campus Safety Magazine, the outlet reports on a nationwide survey commissioned by Singlewire Software and conducted by independent research firm Researchscape, finding that only 17% of K-12 school staff members feel their campus entrances are completely secure. The study surveyed more than 500 school staff members across the United States in January and February 2025, identifying guests not following check-in procedures, staffing shortages, and a lack of visitor identity verification as the top challenges. The article also highlights that most schools already monitor entrances around the clock, rely heavily on video surveillance, and feel confident in their communication systems despite these verification gaps. Joanna Haugland, chief product officer for Visitor Aware at Singlewire Software, said proactive tools that help identify potential threats will play a crucial role as schools work to close remaining gaps.
Key Takeaways
- Only 17% of K-12 school staff members feel their campus entrances are completely secure, according to a survey commissioned by Singlewire Software and conducted by Researchscape.
- The top three challenges cited for maintaining a secure entrance are guests not following check-in procedures (31%), lack of staff (30%), and no way to verify guest identities (24%).
- Eighty-nine percent of schools have video surveillance in place, and 43% plan to purchase or upgrade their surveillance tools within the next two years.
- Eighty-nine percent of school staff said they know how to respond if a problem arises at the front entrance.
- Only 1% of respondents said their school lacks an established communication system for security issues.
Original Story
A new nationwide survey highlights persistent challenges in securing school entrances, even as more campuses ramp up surveillance and safety protocols. According to research commissioned by Singlewire Software and conducted by independent firm Researchscape, only 17% of K-12 school staff members feel their campus entrances are completely secure.
Additionally, multiple challenges were cited for maintaining a secure school entrance, including guests not following check-in procedures (31%), lack of staff (30%), and no way to verify guest identities (24%).
The study surveyed more than 500 school staff members across the U.S. in January and February 2025.