ALICE ALICE Legal and Policy Framework 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which U.S. federal law most directly supports schools adopting proactive response protocols like ALICE?
- The Safe Schools Act of 1994
- The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (Correct answer)
- The Gun-Free Schools Act
- The Clery Act
Correct answer: The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
ESSA encourages schools to implement evidence-based safety practices, which can include proactive response training like ALICE.
Question 2: What is a primary legal consideration organizations must address before implementing ALICE training?
- Obtaining federal certification for each trainer
- Reviewing state-specific statutes and local policies on active threat response (Correct answer)
- Filing a report with the Department of Homeland Security
- Purchasing liability insurance from ALICE Training Institute
Correct answer: Reviewing state-specific statutes and local policies on active threat response
Organizations must review applicable state laws and district/institutional policies to ensure ALICE protocols align with legal requirements.
Question 3: Which government agency publishes the 'Options-Based' guidance that aligns with ALICE's philosophy?
- FBI
- FEMA
- Department of Education
- CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency)
CISA's K-12 School Security Guide and related publications endorse options-based responses that parallel the ALICE framework.
Question 4: Why do many school districts require parental notification before conducting ALICE drills with students?
- Federal law mandates parental consent for all safety drills
- To comply with FERPA requirements
- To address potential psychological impact and maintain transparency with families (Correct answer)
- ALICE Training Institute requires it for liability purposes
Correct answer: To address potential psychological impact and maintain transparency with families
Notifying parents allows them to prepare children emotionally and address concerns, reducing trauma risk from realistic drills.
Question 5: Which statement best describes the relationship between ALICE and OSHA workplace safety requirements?
- ALICE certification fully satisfies all OSHA active-shooter requirements
- OSHA's General Duty Clause can require employers to have an active-threat plan, and ALICE can help fulfill that obligation (Correct answer)
- OSHA prohibits ALICE-style counter training in workplaces
- ALICE is only applicable to educational settings and has no relevance to OSHA
Correct answer: OSHA's General Duty Clause can require employers to have an active-threat plan, and ALICE can help fulfill that obligation
OSHA's General Duty Clause requires employers to provide a hazard-free workplace, and having an active-threat response plan like ALICE supports compliance.
Question 6: What does 'duty of care' mean in the context of an institution implementing ALICE training?
- The legal obligation to only call 911 and wait for law enforcement
- The responsibility to take reasonable steps to protect individuals from foreseeable harm, including active threats (Correct answer)
- A requirement to hire armed security guards
- The duty to keep ALICE training materials confidential from staff
Correct answer: The responsibility to take reasonable steps to protect individuals from foreseeable harm, including active threats
Duty of care obligates institutions to take reasonable, foreseeable protective measures, which proactive training like ALICE helps fulfill.
Which U.S. federal law most directly supports schools adopting proactive response protocols like ALICE?