Threat assessment is not about predicting violence or punishing students, it is about identifying risk early and intervening with care.
Alpine School District has implemented the Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG), a nationally recognized, research-based system that helps schools identify, assess, and respond to concerning behaviors before they escalate. This early-intervention model strengthens school safety and ensures students receive timely support.
“The purpose of the CSTAG process is to ensure a systemic way of evaluating the level of a threat and then providing resources to avoid any potential future violence. The value of the CSTAG process is that it pulls out the emotion and potential bias someone may have toward an individual or situation,” says David Lund, district admin over CSTAG.
CSTAG is built on the belief that communication, collaboration, and proactive action create safer schools. Rather than relying on punitive measures, CSTAG emphasizes understanding context, resolving underlying issues, and helping students feel connected to caring adults. Learn more about the steps that ASD uses to determine whether a CSTAG process is necessary and how a situation might be handled using the protocol here.
Trained CSTAG teams consisting of administrators, counselors, psychologists, law enforcement, and other specialists evaluate situations in which a student may pose a potential threat to themselves or others. These situations can include statements, gestures, behaviors, or concerning patterns on social media.
Research shows that most cases evaluated through CSTAG do not involve actual intent to harm; instead, they often reveal students who are overwhelmed, frustrated, or in need of additional support.
“Being able to support kids when it’s their first mistake and helping them understand how serious things are is vital.” Says Theresa Hill, Administrator and Safety Specialist at Pony Express Elementary. “They think a lot of things are jokes but with this protocol they’re getting that same message of, 'Oh, this is a big deal and I need to not make these mistakes in the future.' It’s just another way we can teach students", the CSTAG process helps ensure that students get help before challenges escalate.
The CSTAG protocol guides school teams in collecting information, deciding whether a concern is minor or more serious, and developing a safety and support plan tailored to the student’s needs. These plans may include counseling services, conflict-resolution support, peer interventions, or collaboration with families.
In more serious situations, CSTAG teams coordinate with district specialists and, if appropriate, local law enforcement to ensure immediate safety.
“The CSTAG process is a researched and evidence based program that has been widely used for over thirty years. One of the main reasons for its consistency is that each threat is initially evaluated by the same 6 basic questions. From those 6 questions the program has a step by step guide with all the resources needed to follow a threat to its conclusion.”” says Lund.
This level of structure and collaboration ensures that no concern is overlooked and that every situation is handled with professionalism and care. CSTAG enables schools to act with clarity and confidence.
Parents play a vital role in the threat assessment process. Families are engaged whenever a concern involves their child, ensuring transparency and joint problem-solving.
“Parents feel like their kid is being taken care of and cared for because we’re putting robust safety measures in place and involving them in the process." Notes hill. Strong partnerships help students feel supported both at home and at school.
For families across Alpine School District, CSTAG provides reassurance that safety is not left to chance. Schools are trained, prepared, and equipped to address concerns quickly and effectively. Teachers and staff members know what to look for and how to report concerns, and every case is evaluated using a structured, research-based model.
“Student safety is our number one concern…The district's commitment to that safety includes a committed focus on both the improvement of physical facilities as well as increased resources for students struggling with mental and emotional hardships,” says Lund. The district’s emphasis on prevention and care is foundational to its safety culture. CSTAG is a key part of making sure every student is safe, supported, and known.
"Teachers knowing that this is something that we’re going to do to protect everyone in the building has really helped them have peace of mind, they know that once they report it it’s going to get handled.” says Hill. Those working closest to students see the impact of this protocol everyday.
CSTAG is not just a protocol—it is a meaningful support system that helps protect students and build stronger school communities.