‘There Were Fists Everywhere.’ Violence Against Teachers Is on the Rise.

Since returning to in-person learning, violence against teachers has increased in the US, with over three dozen acts of criminal battery reported in the Washoe County School District alone, according to school police. A nationwide survey found that 14% of teachers reported physical violence from stu

June 4, 2023 . 6:29 AM

1 min read

Since returning to in-person learning, violence against teachers has increased in the US, with over three dozen acts of criminal battery reported in the Washoe County School District alone.
The number of assault-related workers' compensation claims filed at 2,000 schools in the US has reached a five-year high, with the average cost of those claims increasing 26% compared to the same period in 2018-19.
A nationwide American Psychological Association survey conducted from July 2020 to June 2021 found that 14% of teachers reported physical violence from students, and 49% of teachers said they wanted to quit or switch schools.
Educators cite unmet mental-health needs and social disruption during the pandemic, as well as a shift to disciplinary practices that create a sense of impunity among students, as causes of the increase in violence.
The Washoe County School District is taking a multitrack approach to address the problem, including working to toughen penalties for misbehavior and to make it easier for teachers to summon help, while expanding students' access to mental-health care.