Published on: July 29, 2026
A NABITA Tip of the Week by Makenzie Schiemann, Ph.D., M.S.
Behavioral Intervention Teams (BITs) are charged with identifying, assessing, and responding to students of concern to promote safety and student well-being. A common question for administrators is: What authority does a BIT have to require a student to participate in a violence risk assessment (VRA)? While the answer varies by institutional policy and structure, several consistent principles guide this authority when it is aligned with industry standard practices and the duty of care.
Objective Risk Assessment as the Foundation for Mandating a VRA
A BIT’s authority to require a VRA must be rooted in an objective evaluation of the initial risk present in the referral or reported concern. Tools such as the NABITA Risk Rubric provide an objective, standardized method for determining a general risk level, helping to ensure that decisions are grounded in observable behaviors and credible information rather than subjective impressions, personal biases, or assumptions.
When a BIT uses an objective rubric to determine that a situation presents significant risk (typically elevated or critical on the NABITA Risk Rubric), the decision to mandate a VRA becomes a reasonable and defensible request by a school official. The requirement is based on documented indicators of risk and on the team’s responsibility to further evaluate safety concerns.
Why the Request Is Considered Reasonable
When the BIT reasonably determines that a safety risk is present and additional information is required, requiring a VRA falls squarely within its education and safety mission.
Importantly, this requirement should not impede the student’s access to their education. Unless the student is restricted through a separate process (e.g., interim suspension via student conduct or by another designated official), the student remains enrolled, continues attending classes, and retains full access to campus during the assessment period.
This balance is critical: the BIT is gathering necessary information to evaluate safety while maintaining the student’s educational rights.
Where the BIT’s Authority Ends
The BIT’s authority extends to requesting or requiring participation in a VRA when objectively justified. However, BITs generally do not have the authority to apply consequences or additional restrictions when a student refuses to comply with that requirement.
If a student does not participate in the mandated VRA, the appropriate next step is to refer the matter to the student conduct process. There, the institution can apply due process (or a fundamentally fair process for private institutions) to review whether the student has violated a policy such as “failure to comply with the reasonable directions of a school official.” If the student is found responsible, the conduct process may then assign sanctions, which can include required participation in the assessment or disciplinary consequences for the failure to do so.
Remember Four Guiding Principles
A BIT’s authority to mandate a VRA is not unlimited, but it is clear and defensible when it is: 1) grounded in objective risk assessment, 2) aligned with reasonable educational and safety obligations, 3) preserves the student’s access to their education, and 4) addresses refusal to participate through the appropriate conduct processes. By adhering to these principles, BITs ensure both the integrity of their decision-making and the protection of students’ rights.
Strengthen Your Team’s Risk Assessment
Effective risk assessment begins with an objective, consistent process.
- NABITA’s Risk Rubric training (for higher education and K-12) helps teams to evaluate behaviors using standardized criteria and to determine when additional assessment is warranted.
- NABITA’s SIVRA training (for higher education and K-12) prepares practitioners to conduct structured violence risk assessments when elevated risk requires further evaluation.
- NABITA’s VRA Report Writing workshop helps practitioners to document violence risk assessment findings clearly, consistently, and defensibly.
Explore upcoming training opportunities to strengthen your team’s risk assessment practices.