A key component of comprehensive school and higher ed emergency operations plans (EOPs) is an exercise program that includes the five types of exercises: (1) orientations, (2) tabletop exercises, (3) drills, (4) functional exercises, and (5) full-scale exercises. The exercise program can be developed during Step 5 of the six-step planning process outlined in the "Guide for Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans" ( ED571878), "The Role of Districts in Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans" (ED627267), and the "Guide for Developing High-Quality Emergency Operations Plans for Institutions of Higher Education" (ED571877). It can be documented in the Basic Plan section of the EOP and executed during Step 6, when the whole school/campus community practices the plan. Exercises not only provide education agencies' personnel with the opportunity to identify strengths and weaknesses in their EOPs, but also enhance partnerships with first responders, other local agencies, and the general public. This fact sheet provides schools, school districts, and institutions of higher education (IHEs) with lessons learned and strategies for planning and conducting functional exercises to practice EOPs with community partners.