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Texas School Safety (Guardian Program) — 100 Original Practice Questions
Program Foundation & Legal Authority (1–20)
1. The Texas School Safety Certification (Guardian Program) was established by the Texas
Legislature in what year?
A) 2007
B) 2010
C) 2013
D) 2018
Answer: C. The Guardian Program was established in 2013 through SB 1857 as part of
broader school safety legislation following the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy .
2. Which section of the Texas Government Code authorizes the School Guardian Program?
A) §411.1901
B) §411.190
C) §411.191
D) §411.195
Answer: A. Texas Government Code §411.1901 authorizes the School Guardian Program and
establishes training requirements for school safety personnel .
3. Which section of the Texas Education Code addresses school safety and the Guardian
Program?
A) Chapter 36
B) Chapter 37
C) Chapter 38
D) Chapter 39
Answer: B. Texas Education Code Chapter 37 (Subchapter C) addresses school safety and
security requirements, including Guardian Program provisions .
4. What is the primary purpose of the Guardian Program?
A) Replace local law enforcement on campus
B) Enhance campus security through trained personnel
C) Eliminate emergency drills
D) Supervise student discipline exclusively
Answer: B. The Guardian Program improves campus safety by authorizing and training
designated personnel to respond to threats. It serves as a force multiplier, not a replacement
for law enforcement .
5. What action must a school district take to authorize a Guardian Program?
A) Notify the state legislature
B) Obtain a board vote to approve the program
C) Apply for a federal grant
D) Hire additional security personnel
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Answer: B. District autonomy requires a board vote to approve the Guardian Program. The
school district board must officially authorize the program through a formal vote .
6. Who provides the training for the Guardian Program?
A) The school district
B) A DPS-qualified instructor certified in school safety
C) The Texas School Safety Center
D) Local law enforcement agencies
Answer: B. Training must be provided by a DPS-qualified instructor certified in school safety
under Texas Government Code §411.1901 .
7. Who is eligible to participate in the Guardian Program?
A) Only licensed peace officers
B) Only school administrators
C) Any employee of the school district
D) Only retired law enforcement
Answer: C. Any school employee may participate. Participation is strictly voluntary .
8. Which agency administers the School Safety Certification for qualified handgun
instructors?
A) TCOLE
B) DPS
C) TEA
D) Texas School Safety Center
Answer: B. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) administers the School Safety
Certification under Government Code §411.1901 .
9. Under HB 3 (2023), school districts must have at least what type of personnel on each
campus during regular school hours?
A) A School Resource Officer
B) An armed security officer or school guardian
C) A mental health counselor
D) A security guard
Answer: B. HB 3 mandates at least one armed security officer, SRO, or school guardian on
each campus during regular school hours .
10. What year did House Bill 3 become effective?
A) 2021
B) 2022
C) 2023
D) 2024
Answer: C. HB 3 became effective September 1, 2023 .
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11. Which three types of personnel qualify as "armed security officers" under HB 3?
A) Teachers, coaches, and administrators
B) School district peace officer, SRO, or commissioned peace officer employed as security
C) Guardians, marshals, and volunteers
D) Police, sheriffs, and constables
Answer: B. The three qualifying types are school district peace officers, SROs, or
commissioned peace officers employed as security personnel .
12. What is the "good cause exception" under TEC §37.0814?
A) An exception for districts with fewer than 500 students
B) An exception allowing districts unable to employ armed security due to lack of funding or
qualified personnel
C) An exception for rural districts only
D) An exception for charter schools
Answer: B. The good cause exception allows districts unable to employ armed security
officers due to lack of funding or qualified personnel to develop an alternative standard .
13. Since what year must districts review and renew any good-cause exception annually?
A) 2023
B) 2024
C) 2025
D) 2026
Answer: C. HB 1458 requires annual review and renewal of good-cause exceptions starting
in 2025 .
14. Under the good cause exception, what alternative personnel options may a district use?
A) A school marshal or a school district employee who has completed §411.1901 training
B) Any volunteer
C) A private security contractor
D) A retired police officer
Answer: A. Districts may use a school marshal or a school district employee who has
completed §411.1901 training and carries under written authorization .
15. Which Texas Penal Code section permits carrying a handgun on school premises with
written authorization?
A) §46.01
B) §46.02
C) §46.03(a)(1)(A)
D) §46.04
Answer: C. Texas Penal Code §46.03(a)(1)(A) permits carrying on school premises with
written authorization .
Texas School Safety (Guardian Program) — 100 Original Practice Questions
Program Foundation & Legal Authority (1–20)
1. The Texas School Safety Certification (Guardian Program) was established by the Texas
Legislature in what year?
A) 2007
B) 2010
C) 2013
D) 2018
Answer: C. The Guardian Program was established in 2013 through SB 1857 as part of
broader school safety legislation following the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy .
2. Which section of the Texas Government Code authorizes the School Guardian Program?
A) §411.1901
B) §411.190
C) §411.191
D) §411.195
Answer: A. Texas Government Code §411.1901 authorizes the School Guardian Program and
establishes training requirements for school safety personnel .
3. Which section of the Texas Education Code addresses school safety and the Guardian
Program?
A) Chapter 36
B) Chapter 37
C) Chapter 38
D) Chapter 39
Answer: B. Texas Education Code Chapter 37 (Subchapter C) addresses school safety and
security requirements, including Guardian Program provisions .
4. What is the primary purpose of the Guardian Program?
A) Replace local law enforcement on campus
B) Enhance campus security through trained personnel
C) Eliminate emergency drills
D) Supervise student discipline exclusively
Answer: B. The Guardian Program improves campus safety by authorizing and training
designated personnel to respond to threats. It serves as a force multiplier, not a replacement
for law enforcement .
5. What action must a school district take to authorize a Guardian Program?
A) Notify the state legislature
B) Obtain a board vote to approve the program
C) Apply for a federal grant
D) Hire additional security personnel
, 2
Answer: B. District autonomy requires a board vote to approve the Guardian Program. The
school district board must officially authorize the program through a formal vote .
6. Who provides the training for the Guardian Program?
A) The school district
B) A DPS-qualified instructor certified in school safety
C) The Texas School Safety Center
D) Local law enforcement agencies
Answer: B. Training must be provided by a DPS-qualified instructor certified in school safety
under Texas Government Code §411.1901 .
7. Who is eligible to participate in the Guardian Program?
A) Only licensed peace officers
B) Only school administrators
C) Any employee of the school district
D) Only retired law enforcement
Answer: C. Any school employee may participate. Participation is strictly voluntary .
8. Which agency administers the School Safety Certification for qualified handgun
instructors?
A) TCOLE
B) DPS
C) TEA
D) Texas School Safety Center
Answer: B. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) administers the School Safety
Certification under Government Code §411.1901 .
9. Under HB 3 (2023), school districts must have at least what type of personnel on each
campus during regular school hours?
A) A School Resource Officer
B) An armed security officer or school guardian
C) A mental health counselor
D) A security guard
Answer: B. HB 3 mandates at least one armed security officer, SRO, or school guardian on
each campus during regular school hours .
10. What year did House Bill 3 become effective?
A) 2021
B) 2022
C) 2023
D) 2024
Answer: C. HB 3 became effective September 1, 2023 .
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11. Which three types of personnel qualify as "armed security officers" under HB 3?
A) Teachers, coaches, and administrators
B) School district peace officer, SRO, or commissioned peace officer employed as security
C) Guardians, marshals, and volunteers
D) Police, sheriffs, and constables
Answer: B. The three qualifying types are school district peace officers, SROs, or
commissioned peace officers employed as security personnel .
12. What is the "good cause exception" under TEC §37.0814?
A) An exception for districts with fewer than 500 students
B) An exception allowing districts unable to employ armed security due to lack of funding or
qualified personnel
C) An exception for rural districts only
D) An exception for charter schools
Answer: B. The good cause exception allows districts unable to employ armed security
officers due to lack of funding or qualified personnel to develop an alternative standard .
13. Since what year must districts review and renew any good-cause exception annually?
A) 2023
B) 2024
C) 2025
D) 2026
Answer: C. HB 1458 requires annual review and renewal of good-cause exceptions starting
in 2025 .
14. Under the good cause exception, what alternative personnel options may a district use?
A) A school marshal or a school district employee who has completed §411.1901 training
B) Any volunteer
C) A private security contractor
D) A retired police officer
Answer: A. Districts may use a school marshal or a school district employee who has
completed §411.1901 training and carries under written authorization .
15. Which Texas Penal Code section permits carrying a handgun on school premises with
written authorization?
A) §46.01
B) §46.02
C) §46.03(a)(1)(A)
D) §46.04
Answer: C. Texas Penal Code §46.03(a)(1)(A) permits carrying on school premises with
written authorization .
