According to a recent report by Singlewire Software, a known entity in safety and information solutions, there is a notable gap between the intended security priorities in K-12 schools and the actual state of campus safety.
The "2026 State of Safety & Operational Readiness in K-12 Schools" surveyed over 500 school staff members across the United States, revealing significant insights into security challenges schools face.
Daily accountability processes
Security issues extend beyond the initial point of entry, permeating operational aspects throughout the school environment. Terry Swanson, President and CEO of Singlewire Software, highlighted the urgency in addressing these concerns: "Prioritising school safety means recognising that security vulnerabilities aren't limited to the front door—they are rooted in operational gaps across the entire campus."
The report indicates an upward trend in staff shortages, which exacerbate these vulnerabilities, necessitating advanced approaches to ensure real-time emergency responses can be effectively managed.
Maintaining existing safety protocols
Staffing shortages have emerged as a primary weakness in school security systems
Staffing shortages have emerged as a primary weakness in school security systems, with 46% of respondents in 2026 citing it as their top concern compared to 30% in 2025.
As schools struggle to maintain sufficient surveillance of entry points and corridors, the integration of automated systems and advanced technology is recommended to uphold existing safety standards. Access to necessary emergency tools is lacking, with 38% of educators without any panic button and only a mere 10% possessing wearable alert options.
Identifying security needs
Beyond classroom settings, over half of the surveyed staff identified parking areas and outdoor spaces as particularly vulnerable.
Fixed panic buttons are often inadequate for such zones, but alternatives like wearable tech and mobile apps can enhance safety by providing more flexible emergency response options. Discrepancies in perception about safety are evident—while 79% of security staff believe entrances are secure, only 55% of teachers concur, reflecting their direct experience with security inadequacies.
Entrance security challenges
Securing school entrances remains a significant hurdle, with 86% of staff prioritising it, yet just 16% considering their entrance completely secure. These unchanged statistics from 2025 point to ongoing barriers both logistically and financially when it comes to implementing holistic and durable security solutions.
Analog systems for student dismissal continue to generate threats to security, as up to 75% of schools rely on traditional methods for issuing hall passes. According to the report, 63% of respondents deal with dismissal-related incidents monthly due to outdated or inefficient processes, highlighting a security issue that is often overlooked. This survey was conducted by Researchscape in early 2026 and included 511 respondents from various roles within K-12 schools across the United States.
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
"Prioritising school safety means recognising 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 analogue 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.
