Dewey Cornell (right), pictured with Eric Dion (Département d'éducation et formation spécialisées, UQAM) and CSLP co-director David Waddington (Department of Education, Concordia), who co-organized the event.
On May 29, 2025, the Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance (CSLP) welcomed Dr. Dewey G. Cornell for a hybrid public talk entitled "A Proportional Response to Threats of Violence by Elementary and Secondary School Students." The event drew nearly 150 participants, both online and in person, including many representatives from Quebec school boards who expressed strong interest in the topic.
Dr. Cornell, a renowned expert in school safety and threat assessment, challenged common assumptions about how schools should respond to student threats. He highlighted the ineffectiveness of exclusionary disciplinary measures like suspension, especially when used as a first-line response. While school shootings often dominate public discourse, Dr. Cornell emphasized that such events are extremely rare. More prevalent issues—such as bullying and interpersonal conflict—require thoughtful and proportional responses.
Drawing on research from over 4,000 schools and more than 20 peer-reviewed studies, Dr. Cornell presented the Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG). This evidence-based protocol helps educators differentiate between serious and non-serious threats, guiding more appropriate interventions that keep students connected to the school community. Importantly, he noted that CSTAG has not been found to contribute to racial or demographic disparities in school discipline, addressing a common concern with traditional disciplinary methods.
The CSLP provided live French translation of the English-language presentation and is currently working on translating the accompanying PowerPoint slides. The original presentation slides are now available here. A French version will be posted as soon as it is ready.
The CSLP is proud to have hosted this engaging and timely event, and thanks Dr. Cornell for sharing his expertise on promoting safe, equitable, and supportive school environments.