NCJ Number
67123
Journal
New York Times Magazine Dated: (DECEMBER 10, 1978) Pages: 59,78 80,82,84,86,88,90
Date Published
1978
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE ON VIOLENCE TOWARDS TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM STATES THAT MORE THAN 60,900 TEACHERS WERE PHYSICALLY ATTACKED BY STUDENTS DURING 1977-78 THROUGHOUT THE U.S.
Abstract
NEW YORK CITY TEACHERS HAVE SUFFERED THE MOST ASSAULTS WITH 1,500 REPORTED DURING 1977-78. HUNDREDS OF INCIDENTS OF VIOLENCE ALSO GO UNREPORTED DESPITE LAWS, BOARD OF EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS, AND UNION CONTRACT PROVISIONS. IT HAS BEEN ESTIMATED THAT ONE-THIRD OF THE ASSAULTS ON CHICAGO TEACHERS ARE NEVER RECORDED. SOME TEACHERS LET ASSAULTS PASS UNMENTIONED BECAUSE THEY ANTICIPATE CRITICISM FROM SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS. FEARING REPERCUSSIONS FROM SCHOOL BOARD OR SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFICIALS, A PRINCIPAL OFTEN BLAMES THE TEACHER FOR THE ASSAULT. TEACHERS ARE THUS CAUGHT IN A CROSSFIRE OF CLASSROOM VIOLENCE AND FRONT-OFFICE DISREGARD. STRESS, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, AND LOW SELF-ESTEEM ARE THE RESULTS. TEACHERS SAY THE WORKINGS OF OTHER INSTITUTIONS, ESPECIALLY THE COURTS, COMPOUND THE PROBLEM. CHILDREN FEEL FREE TO COMMIT ASSUALTS BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY WILL NOT BE LEGALLY PUNISHED. MOREOVER, THERE IS ALSO A LACK OF COOPERATION AMONG INVOLVED AGENCIES, SUCH AS THE POLICE, COURTS, SOCIAL WELFARE AGENCIES AND THE SCHOOLS. THIS SPLINTERING OF RESPONSIBILITY ADDS HOPELESSNESS TO THE OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS OF TEACHING. AS A RESULT, TEACHERS ARE SEEKING THEIR OWN SOLUTIONS--CONTRACT CHANGES, BETTER SCHOOL SECURITY, STRICT DISCIPLINE, ADMINISTRATIVE BACKING, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT. SELF-HELP PROGRAMS SET UP RAP GROUPS TO DEAL WITH GENERAL TEACHING STRESS. TEACHERS' UNIONS HAVE WORKED WITH ADMINISTRATORS TO TIGHTEN SCHOOL SECURITY. SCHOOLS HAVE TURNED INCREASINGLY TOWARD ELECTRONIC SECURITY DEVICES TO COMBAT STUDENT VIOLENCE. TEACHERS' UNIONS ARE PRESSING TO REFORM LAWS SO A TEACHER CAN SEEK LEGAL REDRESS IF ASSAULTED. ALL THESE MEASURES HAVE YIELDED ENCOURAGING RESULTS, AND THERE HAS BEEN SOME DROP IN CRIME AGAINST TEACHERS. IF BATTERED TEACHERS CONTINUE TO GET THE HELP THEY NEED, PERHAPS SCHOOLS WILL BECOME SAFE FOR BOTH TEACHER AND STUDENT. THE ARTICLE IS ILLUSTRATED WITH PHOTOGRAPHS. (MJW)