Abusive Teachers Target of New State Laws

A well-publicized increase in cases of teachers having sexual relationships with students in recent years has prompted at least 10 states to take action to address the problem of sexually abusive educators. New laws and policies have been implemented by education officials and legislators across the country to deter potential abusers in the classroom.

According to a report by Robert Tanner of The Associated Press, 2,570 educators lost their teaching credentials or were punished from 2001 through 2005 because of sexual misconduct. But because underreporting the problem is part of the problem, those figures may be low.

Tanner says 10 states have passed new laws in recent months or changed or expanded their policies regarding sexual abuse by educators. Four other states have pending legislation dealing with the problem.

Addressing the Problem

To address the situation, here are some of the problems that states are trying to address:

• Underreporting: Some states are increasing or creating penalties for officials and others who work with children who fail to report sexual abuse of children. Kentucky's new law would sentence someone to 90 days in jail for failing to report allegations of abuse.

• Backroom Deals: Some schools have quietly gotten rid of problem teachers, cutting deals with them that allow them to transfer to another school district or state. Florida has passed a new law barring administrators from making those kinds of confidential agreements.

• Returning to the Classroom: In some states there is no laws in place that prevent a teacher fired from one district from applying in another area. Some states have now passed laws making it illegal for teachers who have lost their license anywhere to teach in their jurisdiction.

• Recognizing the Problem: Some teachers do not recognize situations that could get them into trouble and others fail to recognize the symptoms of problems with their co-workers. South Carolina has begun a statewide training program that aims to show 10,000 teachers, administrators, guidance counselors, coaches and school nurses on how to prevent, identify and report cases of abuse.

"So much of what schools do is based on trust. Not only must kids trust their teachers, but parents have to trust those teachers too," State School Superintendent Jim Rex said. "And schools have to earn that trust each and every day."

See Also:
10 States Act to Stop Teacher Sex Abuse

Related Information:
Photo Gallery: Teachers Behaving Badly
Crime Poll: Teachers Having Sex With Students

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