The 2026 PASS Town Hall at ISC West underscored a year of significant momentum for the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS), as the organization expanded its reach, enhanced its guidelines, and introduced new digital tools designed to help K-12 schools turn security planning into measurable action.
PASS leaders highlighted continued growth in outreach partnerships, guideline adoption, and training participation throughout 2025, reinforcing the organization’s mission to provide administrators, school boards, and safety professionals with practical, tiered approaches to school security.
Central to the discussion was the continued rollout of the 7th Edition of the PASS Safety and Security Guidelines, which include several notable updates reflecting the evolving threat landscape facing schools.
Among the enhancements are expanded recommendations for video surveillance systems, including improved camera placement, broader fields of view, greater use of analytics, and updated guidance for classroom camera deployment. PASS also strengthened its access-control recommendations with a new door-lock matrix, greater emphasis on keeping classroom doors closed and locked, and more detailed guidance on establishing secure visitor entry points.
At the district level, PASS continues to advocate for more integrated and interoperable security operations. Updated recommendations emphasize unified security operations centers, coordinated districtwide response strategies, and stronger collaboration between campuses and emergency responders.
PASS leaders also addressed the growing nationwide adoption of Alyssa’s Law and ongoing efforts to secure government funding for compliance initiatives. The organization continues to advocate for the integration of digital mapping and stronger connectivity with emergency response systems to improve situational awareness and accelerate first-responder coordination during incidents.
Reflecting the convergence of physical and cyber threats, PASS introduced a new Digital Infrastructure Layer within its guidelines. The addition focuses on cybersecurity, network resilience, and data protection, acknowledging that safeguarding schools today requires protecting both physical campuses and digital environments.
One of the most significant announcements during the Town Hall was the launch of PASS in Practice (PIP), a new eLearning certificate program designed to help schools operationalize the PASS Guidelines.
Rather than replacing the guidelines themselves, PASS in Practice provides a structured framework for implementation through practical examples, interactive coursework, and planning tools. The program helps administrators, school resource officers, consultants, and school partners evaluate current security measures, identify vulnerabilities, and prioritize improvements.
Participants who complete the training earn a certificate and digital badge recognizing their understanding of PASS principles and their practical application.
PASS also unveiled a new digital checklist portal that modernizes the organization’s widely used assessment tools. The platform converts traditional PDF-based checklists into mobile-friendly, editable forms that allow schools to conduct real-time assessments, attach data to individual campuses, and automatically generate PDF and Excel reports for easier analysis and tracking.
While PASS will continue to offer printable and fillable PDF versions for schools that prefer traditional formats, the new portal signals a broader shift toward more dynamic and data-driven safety management.
Research presented during the Town Hall further reinforced the importance of foundational security measures. The ALERRT Center at Texas State University shared findings from an analysis of 54 school-based active shooter incidents spanning 26 years. According to research, properly secured doors — particularly those that remain locked and minimize exposure of vulnerable glass — significantly reduce casualties and can slow or prevent an attacker's entry.
PASS also announced expanded efforts to help schools identify and pursue funding opportunities. A new “Grants and Funding Corner,” scheduled to appear twice monthly, will provide schools with grant guidance, funding recommendations, and best practices for developing successful applications.
In addition, the organization plans to increase reporting on state and federal legislative activity impacting school safety while maintaining its longstanding “no unfunded mandates” philosophy.
Looking ahead, PASS promoted several upcoming training and collaboration opportunities, including its Summer Camp Webinar Series and the 2026 PASS Summer Summit on School Safety, scheduled for July 16–17 in Concord, North Carolina. The event will be held both in person and via on-demand recordings.
The Town Hall concluded with PASS recognizing Jim Crumbley as its 2026 Volunteer of the Year for his leadership and contributions to advancing PASS initiatives.
As school districts continue to navigate increasingly complex physical and cyber risks, PASS leaders emphasized that the organization’s mission remains focused on delivering practical guidance, collaborative expertise, and accessible tools to help schools build safer and more resilient learning environments.