Comparing the Effects of the Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines Training: In-Person Vs. Online

This study examined outcomes from the Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines training, delivered in-person and synchronously online to 882 participants from a large Florida school district. School-based mental health (SBMH) staff and administrators’ outcomes for knowledge of threat assessment, ability to classify a threat case appropriately, and overall evaluations of the training were examined. Structural equation modeling indicated no significant differences between in-person and online groups for knowledge and threat classification. In-person participants rated the training more favorably. SBMH staff scored higher on threat classification, while participants with more previous training and case experience in threat assessment had lower posttest knowledge scores and training ratings. Results suggest that online training may enhance the accessibility and scalability of training. Future research and implications are discussed.