Each year, 7 percent of American teachers are threatened with injury and 3 percent are physically attacked by students. In addition to the medical and psychological damage these incidents inflict on teachers and other students, schools accrue a number of costs as a result teacher victimization, including lost days of work and increased workers’ compensation claims. The nationwide costs of teacher victimization to teachers, parents, and taxpayers are calculated to exceed $2 billion annually.
Despite the size and scope of this problem, more research and information is needed to understand the causes of teacher victimization and to decrease the frequency of violent incidents in the classroom. NAESP is asking members to participate in and forward a 10-minute online survey that was designed by the Center for Psychology in Schools and Education (CPSE) at the American Psychological Association. CPSE recently established a task force to create awareness about violence against teachers and help K-12 teachers prevent violent incidents in their classrooms.
The survey is anonymous and will further the research agenda on violence directed against teachers. Survey participants will receive access to a brochure outlining teacher victimization prevention and intervention strategies.
The deadline for responding is May 1. Remember to forward the link to the survey (http://bit.ly/93uAHo) to your classroom teachers!