Identifying key factors influencing violence directed toward K-12 Teachers in American schools

Matthew James Etchells, Antonia Ketsetzi, Kenneth Fleming, Samantha Meister, Hersh Waxman

Abstract


There is an increasing occurrence in school violence (Ricketts, 2007) directed towards teachers (Espelage, 2013) with 80% of teachers reporting at least one victimization experience in the current or past year (American Psychological Association Task Force on Violence Directed Against Teachers, 2011). Therefore, identifying the key factors influencing violence towards K-12 teachers in American schools is important. This research utilizes a sample of 8,101 teachers from the 2011-2012 School and Staffing Survey (SASS). The results indicate 21% reported being threatened with injury and 8.6% reported being physically attacked. The results suggest violence manifests as a result of school climate and environment.


Keywords


School violence, School climate, School and Staffing Survey, Sick Schools

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References


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