Learning from an Implementation and Outcome Evaluation of the Colorado Threat Assessment and Management Protocol

A multidisciplinary team of sociologists, psychologists, and school practitioners with strong backgrounds in research and evaluation will lead the project: Learning from an Implementation and Outcome Evaluation of the Colorado Threat Assessment and Management Protocol (CTAMP). The CTAMP is widely used in 118 school districts in Colorado and has not been rigorously evaluated. 
    The project has three goals: (1) conduct an implementation and process evaluation of the CTAMP, (2) examine the effects of the CTAMP on outcomes for K-12 staff, students, and schools, and (3) translate and disseminate project findings to educators, leaders, researchers, and policymakers to improve school safety. The goals, objectives, and research questions were developed using a Participatory Action Research approach with partners from the participating school district, the state’s office of school safety, and external evaluators. To achieve goal 1, researchers will conduct case reviews (Obj. 1.1), pre, post and follow-up surveys of CTAMP trainees (Obj. 1.2.) and focus groups with trainees (Obj. 1.3). These objectives will answer the following research questions: To what extent is the CTAMP implemented with fidelity? To what extent is the CTAMP training associated with improved knowledge, attitudes, and confidence in conducting threat assessments among trainees? What are the CTAMP implementation strengths, challenges, and barriers? Goal 2 will be achieved using a rigorous evaluation to examine the effectiveness of the CTAMP for threat assessment teams and students in schools randomized to receive the CTAMP compared to schools randomized to implement the CTAMP later (Obj. 2.1). Disparity analysis will be conducted of threat assessment practices to examine if practices vary by school characteristics and student subgroups (Obj.2.2). To achieve Goal 3, the team will translate, co-develop, and disseminate project findings to educators, leaders, researchers, and policy makers (Obj. 3.1). The team will leverage their existing networks to disseminate findings at the school, district, state, regional and national levels through infographics, podcasts, webinars, briefs, conference presentations, and peer-reviewed journals (Obj.3.2).   
    The scientific advances and our PAR approach will contribute to understanding critical gaps in the BTAM research including the reliability and validity of BTAM procedures and the impact and effectiveness of these procedures on school safety and student outcomes using an external evaluator. Finally, our team is strongly positioned to execute the project due to our diverse team, expertise, and years of experience conducting high quality research.