Teachers play a crucial role in shaping the future of Texas, but many educators are now worried about their own safety in the classroom. A recent report has revealed a significant increase in student assaults on school staff, leaving many teachers feeling vulnerable and unsupported.
Why Are Texas Teachers Concerned About Safety?
A recent investigation by KPRC uncovered troubling data on violence against school staff in Texas. Over the past two years, the number of teachers attacked by students has risen by 18%. This means that more than 3,500 school workers have been harmed in incidents involving students.
Mental Health Services Are Lacking
According to Jackie Anderson, President of the Houston Federation of Teachers, one of the biggest reasons behind this rise in violent incidents is the lack of mental health resources available to students.
“Right after COVID, there has been an alarming pull from our classrooms by counselors, wraparound services, and people who would offer mental health services to our students. Students are not getting the supports they need. So, I’m not surprised at all.”
Many counselors and mental health professionals who once worked in Texas schools have either left or been reassigned, leaving students without the support they need to handle stress, emotions, and conflicts in a healthy way.
What Are Texas Teachers Doing to Stay Safe?
Texas educators are deeply concerned about the rising trend of violence in schools. However, one of the biggest challenges they face is a lack of transparency regarding these incidents.
Schools Withhold Important Data
Anderson points out that officials are not fully disclosing information on attacks against teachers, making it harder to find solutions.
“What shocks me the most is the lack of transparency—they won’t even put out the information so we know where to go from there… We have to have a baseline, and we can’t get that information.”
Without clear data, educators don’t know which schools are experiencing the most violence or what steps are being taken to address the issue.
Could “Assault Leave” Be the Answer?
One possible solution being discussed is “assault leave.” This would allow teachers who are attacked by students to take paid time off to recover. However, this policy has major flaws:
- Texas school districts can deny assault leave after reviewing an incident.
- If denied, teachers must use their personal sick leave to recover from injuries.
For many educators, this adds insult to injury, as they must choose between their health and their paycheck.