Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Site Assessment
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:41‑14, New Jersey school districts and nonpublic schools are required to annually assess the security features and vulnerabilities of school buildings and grounds using a checklist developed by the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP) in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE).
The Office of School Preparedness and Emergency Planning (OSPEP), in collaboration with NJOHSP, has developed the NJ K‑12 School Security Self‑Assessment Form to replace the discontinued REMS TA Center SITE ASSESS Tool. This self-assessment is designed to support districts and nonpublic schools in meeting their annual school security assessment obligations. The self-assessment retains the key school security domains previously addressed through the SITE ASSESS tool while incorporating Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles and reflecting best practices emphasized in the School Safety Specialist Academy. In addition, it provides a streamlined, school‑friendly format that enables schools to effectively evaluate existing security features, identify potential vulnerabilities, and support informed decision‑making as part of ongoing school safety and security planning efforts.
Submission Requirements
Completed assessments must be submitted for each school building using one of the following methods:
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:41‑14, school districts and nonpublic schools are required to annually complete and submit the NJ K‑12 School Security Self‑Assessment Form. Submission of the completed assessment should align with the annual School Safety and Security Plan (SSSP) submission timeline, which is due no later than November 30 of each year.
School Security Assessment Training and Technical Assistance
To support implementation of the school security assessment process, OSPEP provides training and technical assistance to public and nonpublic schools.
These training sessions focused on completing the NJ K‑12 School Security Self‑Assessment Form and using assessment results to support school safety and security planning. In addition, OSPEP provides technical assistance and site visits, upon request and subject to availability, through its regional representatives.
Requests for training, technical assistance, or site visits may be submitted using the School Security Assessment Training and Technical Assistance Request.
All questions about the K-12 School Safety Assessment (N.J.S.A. 18A:41-14) completion/submission can be directed to School.Security@doe.nj.gov.