Researcher: Aggression against adults in U.S. public schools 'a growing crisis ... that needs to be addressed nationally' |
On Board Online • August 12, 2024
By Eric D. Randall
Editor-in-Chief
While threats and violence against pre-K to 12th-grade teachers and other school personnel in the United States declined during the pandemic, incidents have rebounded to levels equal to or exceeding those prior to the pandemic, according to research published in American Psychologist magazine.
"Aggression and violence against educators and school personnel are major concerns that affect the well-being of school personnel and the students and families they serve," said Susan Dvorak McMahon, associate dean for research at DePaul University and lead author of an article entitled "Violence and Aggression Against Educators and School Personnel, Retention, Stress and Training Needs: National Survey Results."
"This study highlights a growing crisis in our schools that needs to be addressed nationally," said McMahon, who is also chair of a Task Force on Violence Against Educators and School Personnel created by the American Psychological Association.
The study compared results of surveys done before, during and after school shutdowns because of COVID-19 restrictions. The most recent survey (conducted in March through June, 2022) polled about 12,000 educators and school personnel in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
Researchers used an instrument called the Educator Victimization Scale. It asked respondents to rate on a six-point scale (never, once, a few times, monthly, weekly, daily) how often they had specific experiences such as “I had objects thrown at me” and “I had an ordinary object (e.g., pencil, scissors) used as a weapon against me.”
Before the pandemic, 65% of teachers reported at least one incident of verbal harassment or threatening behavior from a student. The figure dropped to 33% during the pandemic, when remote and hybrid schooling were common. In 2022, those figures rebounded to 80%.
Teachers also reported a similar pattern when it came to physical violence, with 42% reporting instances with students prior to the pandemic, 14% during the pandemic and 56% after the pandemic restrictions were lifted.
While only 1% of teachers reported violent encounters with parents prior to the pandemic and less than 1% during the pandemic, that number jumped to 26% post-pandemic.
Such encounters may be contributing to high levels of stress among school personnel. Nearly seven in 10 school employees (teachers and staff) reported that they "frequently" or "almost always" experience anxiety and stress.
Respondents were also asked if they had intended to quit, retire early or transfer to another position within the school system. The percentage of teachers expressing intentions to resign or transfer were 57% in 2022.
"Teacher and staff turnover creates additional challenges for schools and students and makes the job more difficult for those who stay," said McMahon.
School psychologists, social workers, counselors, administrators and other school staff also reported threats and incidents of violence. The same patterns occurred - a decrease in incidents during the pandemic but rebound to equal or higher levels after restrictions were lifted.
Across all categories, participants also reported notable increases in anxiety and stress during the pandemic, and while levels decreased slightly post-pandemic, they failed to return to pre-pandemic levels.
"These findings point to a desperate need for a comprehensive approach by policymakers to address violence and aggression against educators and build positive and safe schools," said McMahon. "Educators need to be well trained in addressing psychological, social and emotional needs of students."
The researchers identified several areas where educators need training, including trauma-informed practices, socioemotional learning approaches, working with diverse groups, de-escalation strategies, and behavior and classroom management. They also recommended district and school leaders engage educators and school personnel in discussions regarding school practices, discipline, placement, staffing and school climate.
Policies should also address supporting the mental and behavioral health of students and educators, the researchers said.
The published article also summarizes other relevant research. For instance, teacher victimization varies by race and ethnicity, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. According to that research,12% of Black teachers report being threatened with injury by students compared to 8% and 10% of Hispanic and white teachers, respectively.
"Our research has demonstrated that violence and aggression against teachers - from students, parents, colleagues and administrators - lead to anxiety and stress, which in turn lead to intentions to transfer schools or quit the profession," said McMahon. "We need to address the entire ecology of the school, as well as engage with parents and communities in order to improve school climate, work environment and student learning."
Read the study at bit.ly/461AKjI .