What is an After Action Review?
An after-action review (AAR) is a tool used to facilitate a collaborative discussion that evaluates and analyzes the actions and management of an event or incident within a school. The AAR report is the best resource for capturing the perspectives of the school staff, school safety employees, and LEA in detailing the scope of the event, key decisions, and communications.
The AAR process (discussion and report) identifies detrimental elements, successes, and lessons learned to inform corrective action.
The Maryland Center for School Safety (MCSS) identifies three tiers of incidents where an AAR is beneficial for Local Education Agencies (LEAs). Implementing an AAR for each tier type is recommended as it encourages continuous improvement in safety preparedness. These tiers are categorized as Tier I, II, and III and are defined below. Tier III incidents identified as critical life-threatening(CLT) incidents require an AAR process with submission to MCSS.
Tier I
Incidents involve preplanned events within the school, such as Field Day, Open House, Conferences, Prom, Graduation, etc. The above events do not require completing an after-action report; however, school safety employees and school administrators may use the form as documentation and address successes and areas needed for improvement.
Tier II
Incidents involve an unscheduled event that disrupts school activity or creates a risk to the school, staff, or students. The risk does not rise to a critical life-threatening event. Examples: weather-related emergencies, an escalated adult on the property, incidents with minimal staff and student involvement, etc.
Tier III
Incidents involve a life-threatening event that triggers the legal requirements as a critical life-threatening (CLT) incident. A CLT includes conduct that occurred causing death or which resulted in serious bodily injury to one or more individuals or which may be charged as a threat of mass violence under Criminal Law Article, §3-1001.
Find the MCSS Guidance Conducting the AAR below.
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