Randomized studies, as reviewed, find that students who make threats in CSTAG schools more often receive counseling and less often long-term suspension or transfer, with the largest changes in higher-fidelity schools¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study (2 entries) · review r3 · q3
Currency · newest study 2025 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q3 i? In randomized studies, CSTAG students making threats were significantly more likely to receive counseling services and a parent conference, while control students were significantly more likely to receive long-term suspension or transfer. → DePaoli 2025 q3 i? Among CSTAG schools, higher fidelity to the model was associated with the greatest reductions in long-term suspensions and increases in counseling. → DePaoli 2025 (2)

Evidence¶

DePaoli 2025¶

DePaoli, J. L., & Loewe, S. B. (2025). Keeping schools safe? The research on behavioral threat assessments. Learning Policy Institute. https://doi.org/10.54300/808.437

q3 · i? · review · r3

The report describes causal studies in which some schools were randomly assigned to receive CSTAG training while others conducted business as usual until the following year. "Students who made threats of violence in schools that used the CSTAG model were significantly more likely to receive counseling services." No effect sizes are printed.

"Students who made threats of violence in schools that used the CSTAG model were significantly more likely to receive counseling services and a parent conference than students in control schools, while students in the control group were significantly more likely to receive a long-term suspension or be transferred to a different school."

DePaoli 2025 (2)¶

DePaoli, J. L., & Loewe, S. B. (2025). Keeping schools safe? The research on behavioral threat assessments. Learning Policy Institute. https://doi.org/10.54300/808.437

q3 · i? · review · r3

The report states that in the causal CSTAG studies, "those with higher fidelity to the model showed the greatest reductions in long-term suspensions and increases in counseling provided," identifying implementation fidelity as a moderator.

"Among CSTAG schools, those with higher fidelity to the model showed the greatest reductions in long-term suspensions and increases in counseling provided."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Schools using the CSTAG model show fewer disciplinary infractions, suspensions, expulsions, and law enforcement actions than schools using general threat assessment approaches — related
• CSTAG training shifts staff knowledge and beliefs, improving threat-assessment accuracy and reducing support for zero-tolerance policies — related
• Black students and students with disabilities are disproportionately referred for behavioral threat assessments — related