How does compliance driven discourse shape institutional responses to active shooter events and in what ways does it contribute to crisis management complacency?

Author

• Jerardo R. Pena, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Date of Award

7-1-2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Curriculum & Instruction

First Advisor

Pauli Badenhorst

Second Advisor

Jacob Neumann

Third Advisor

Laura Jewett

Abstract

Active shooter incidents have generated significant legislative, institutional, and procedural responses intended to improve school safety and crisis preparedness. While these reforms present as evidence of readiness, questions remain regarding the extent to which compliance-driven approaches translate into effective crisis response during emergencies. This qualitative research explores how compliance driven discourse shapes institutional responses to active shooter threats and examines the ways in which this discourse may contribute to crisis management complacency. Drawing from Foucault's concepts of discourse, discontinuity, governmentality and discipline, the research investigates how preparedness is constructed, normalized, and sustained through policy language, training requirements, and accountability mechanisms. This qualitative research utilizes Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as both a methodological and analytical approach to examine how preparedness is constructed, normalized, and sustained through institutional discourse. Guided by a theoretical framework informed by Foucault's discourse and discontinuity, Schein and Schein's organization theory, Klein's naturalistic decision making and recognized prime decision model, the research investigates the relationship between compliance-based governance and operational realities during active shooter incidents. The research focuses on major active shooter events, including Columbine, Virginia Tech, Sandy Hook, Parkland, Santa Fe, and Uvalde. Findings indicate that institutional discourse frequently equates preparedness with procedural compliance, emphasizing audits, training completion, policy adherence, and regulatory mandates as primary indicators of readiness. However, analysis revealed recurring discontinuities between formal preparedness measures and operational performance. These discontinuities emerged when responders encountered uncertainty, rapidly changing conditions, and circumstances that exceeded the limitations of predefined procedures. The findings further suggest that post incident reforms often reinforce existing systems of compliance rather than addressing the adaptive decision-making capabilities required during crisis response.

Comments

Copyright 2026 Jerardo R. Pena. All Rights Reserved.

Recommended Citation

Pena, J. R. (2026). How does compliance driven discourse shape institutional responses to active shooter events and in what ways does it contribute to crisis management complacency? [Doctoral dissertation, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley]. ScholarWorks @ UTRGV. https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/2013