Schools preparing for the worst, with active shooter drills

In this May 6, 2016, photo, Forest Dale Elementary School principal Deanna Pitman, right, and Carmel, (Ind.) police officer Greg DeWald welcome students as they return to the school following an intruder drill at the school in Carmel, Ind. More and more, schools these days are conducting active-shooter drills. A government report found that more than two-thirds of the school districts surveyed conduct active shooter exercises. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) (The Associated Press)

In this May 6, 2016, photo, Justin Kay, a 5th grade teacher at Forest Dale Elementary School in Carmel, Ind., makes an announcement of the school's public address system of an "intruder drill." More and more, schools these days are conducting active-shooter drills. A government report found that more than two-thirds of the school districts surveyed conduct active shooter exercises. From start to finish, the “intruder drill” at the Forest Dale Elementary School in Carmel took about 10 minutes _ an exercise now as routine at the school as a fire drill. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) (The Associated Press)

In this May 6, 2016, photo, books and supplies litter the floor as a class evacuated the area during an intruder drill Forest Dale Elementary School in Carmel, Ind. More and more, schools these days are conducting active-shooter drills. A government report found that more than two-thirds of the school districts surveyed conduct active shooter exercises. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) (The Associated Press)

More than two-thirds of the nation's elementary and public schools are conducting drills to ensure that students, teachers and staff know how to react if there's an active shooter on campus.

That's the finding of a recent report by the Government Accountability Office.

School psychologists warn that there has to be a balance between preparedness and inciting fear in students.

At Forest Dale Elementary School in Carmel, Indiana, teachers and students are told right off that the exercise is a drill. In a recent one, principal Deanna Pitman played the role of intruder.

Active shooter drills are becoming more routine in schools after a rash of school shootings.

The FBI says that between 2000 and 2013, there were 25 shootings in elementary and secondary schools resulting in 57 deaths.