In an effort to enhance the safety and security of students, faculty, and staff on campuses statewide, Governor Greg Abbott announced a new program called Sentinel. The Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) Office of School Safety will provide the service to schools at no charge.

According to a July 25 TEA press release, Sentinel will allow for robust monitoring of school systems’ implementation and operation of safety and security policies, as well as improve the threat assessment process.

Abbott, a Republican, said in the release that school safety remains a top priority and described Sentinel as "cutting-edge technology."

John P. Scott, TEA’s School Safety and Security Chief, said that Sentinel continues his office’s search for ways to better support the state’s 1,200 school systems. Scott thanked the governor for his support.

The release said that Sentinel’s standardization of Behavioral Threat Assessments (BTAs) into one reporting mechanism gives schools a clear way of conducting BTAs and managing threats. The program will also provide state leaders timely and accurate information to support quick decision-making.

Sentinel was made possible by the passage of the school safety-centric House Bill (HB) 3, according to the release. Two years ago, the position of Chief of School Safety and Security was created on Abbott’s orders.