Singlewire Software has released the "2026 State of Safety & Operational Readiness in K-12 Schools" report, providing a comprehensive overview of current safety and operational challenges faced by educational institutions across the United States.
With insights derived from over 500 school staff members, the report uncovers critical issues in the alignment between safety priorities and actual campus security measures.
Challenges in Daily School Safety and Staffing
The research highlights significant staffing shortages impacting safety protocols, with 46% of respondents citing a lack of personnel as a primary security vulnerability, up from 30% in 2025.
The research highlights significant staffing shortages impacting safety protocols
As staff availability diminishes, automation and integrated technology solutions are being recommended to sustain existing safety standards. In the words of Terry Swanson, president and CEO of Singlewire Software, "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."
Accessibility of Safety Tools
The report points to a substantial equipment gap between school safety objectives and the resources available to frontline educators.
Notably, 38% of teachers have no access to panic buttons, while only 10% can use wearable solutions. This deficiency leaves teachers vulnerable during crises, either constrained to their desks or without a means to request help. A disparity in perceptions is evident as well; whereas 79% of security staff consider school entrances secure, only 55% of teachers share this view.
Expanding Security Perimeters
Securing school entrances remains a significant challenge for over 86% of staff
Vulnerabilities extend beyond the classroom, with over half of respondents identifying parking lots and outdoor spaces as the most susceptible areas. While fixed panic buttons offer limited coverage, wearable technology and mobile applications are proposed to enhance the security perimeter by accommodating staff mobility and location needs.
Securing school entrances remains a significant challenge for over 86% of staff, although merely 16% feel their entrances are "completely secure." These figures have remained almost unchanged from the previous year, highlighting the ongoing logistical and budgetary issues in implementing robust, long-term security solutions.
Analog Dismissal Systems and Visibility Gaps
Additionally, the reliance on analog hall passes creates a significant visibility gap, with about 75% of schools still using outdated methods. This lack of modern systems contributes to frequent dismissal-related interventions required by staff, as noted by 63% of respondents.
The report, compiled with data gathered by Researchscape in early 2026, included diverse participants such as K-12 administrators, teachers, IT, and security personnel, providing a well-rounded view of current security dynamics in educational settings.
Singlewire Software, a pioneer in solutions that help keep people safe and informed, today 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 over 500 school staff members across the United States, revealing a critical disconnect between school safety priorities and the daily reality of campus security.
Daily accountability processes
"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," said Terry Swanson, president and CEO of Singlewire Software. "With staff shortages rising and critical disparities emerging, reactive measures are no longer sufficient. Schools have the opportunity to empower every staff member, streamline daily accountability processes, and ensure that real-time help is accessible wherever and whenever an emergency arises."
The report highlights several key insights, including: Staffing challenges are impacting safety protocols: Lack of human resources has become a primary security vulnerability for schools. "Lack of staff" was cited as the top security challenge for schools, jumping from 30% in 2025 to 46% in 2026. As schools struggle to find personnel to monitor hallways and entrances, the report suggests that automation and integrated technology must bridge the gap to maintain existing safety protocols.
Maintain existing safety protocols
Panic buttons aren't always accessible to school teachers: A massive equipment gap exists between school safety goals and the tools provided to frontline educators. The report reveals that 38% of teachers have no panic button at all, and only 10% have access to a wearable solution.
This lack of mobile technology leaves teachers either tethered to a desk during a crisis or without any way to call for help. This disparity is reflected in a sharp perception gap: while 79% of security staff believe school entrances are secure, only 55% of teachers— who experience these vulnerabilities firsthand— agree.
Identifying security needs
Vulnerabilities extend beyond the classroom: While school safety often centres on the classroom, over 50% of respondents identify parking lots and outdoor areas as their most vulnerable zones. Fixed panic buttons are restricted by their location, but wearable technology and mobile apps offer the capacity to extend the security perimeter. By providing a flexible alternative to stationary hardware, these mobile tools are designed to adapt to a staff member's location— bringing help wherever it is needed most.
Entrance security remains a persistent challenge: The report found that 86% of staff say securing the front entrance is a top or high priority, yet only 16% feel their entrance is "completely secure." These figures remain virtually unchanged from 2025, underscoring the ongoing logistical and budgetary challenges schools face when transitioning from identifying security needs to implementing comprehensive, long-term solutions.
Outdated dismissal systems
Analog hall passes are creating a student visibility gap: The report found that nearly 75% of schools are still using analog methods to excuse students from class, creating a visibility gap for student accountability.
Outdated dismissal systems yield ongoing security risks: The report found that 63% of respondents said that they experience dismissal-related issues that require staff intervention at least on a monthly basis as a result of antiquated or ineffective dismissal methods, exposing a security gap many schools rarely even consider.
The independent research firm Researchscape conducted this survey in January and February 2026. Respondents included 511 staff members at K-12 schools in the United States, including administrators, teachers, IT, and security personnel.
