Dr. Bernie James will share his research in a Socratic discussion on Behavior Threat Assessments (BTA) and Liability. The increased use of BTA raises issues regarding effective collaboration by the multidisciplinary team, avoiding liability in gathering, storing, and sharing private agency records. It also rewards procedures that correctly use the assessments to determine whether a student poses a threat of violence while avoiding inappropriate BTA use that misidentifies students who are thought to pose a threat in ways that profiles students with disabilities and students of color. This session will be placed in the larger context of identifying best practices and resolving strongly held but mistaken beliefs about school law (4th Amendment, 1st Amendment, 5th Amendment, FERPA) that greatly constrain campus safety efforts. Pennsylvania law will be emphasized.

From NASRO:

Dr. Bernie James is the foremost scholar and lecturer on school safety in the United States. He is a school safety law professor, expert, presenter and consultant. He currently teaches law at Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law. Dr. James will bring his 40 years of research, scholarship and expertise to local and state school officials.  

Each topic he presents is designed to provide an on-site, state-specific Socratic session on the following topics, allowing you gain a better understanding of the complexities of each:

Known as “Dr. Bernie” to NASRO members, he is a very popular annual conference keynote speaker and long-time columnist for the Journal of School Safety. His legal insights and extensive knowledge of how the law pertains to school safety are invaluable.