from ed week online
A Lingering Shame
Most of America's educators are dedicated professionals who wouldn’t dream of crossing the line into sexual conduct with a student. But a small slice of school employees do not respect that boundary. Their crimes can leave indelible scars on their victims, severely damage families, and cause lasting harm to entire school communities. How to recognize and combat the threat posed by such educators is an issue that no education policymaker, administrator, teacher, or parent can afford to ignore.
This special collection of stories, "A Lingering Shame: Sexual Abuse of Students by School Employees," assembles reporting on a problem that is only sporadically recognized as a national issue. The collection features a three-day 2007 Associated Press series on teacher sexual misconduct based on a seven-month investigation by AP reporters across the country. Some of the stories in the series appeared in the October 24, 2007, issue of Education Week; the entire series is available here.
The collection also highlights special Education Week coverage, including "A Trust Betrayed," an award-winning series based on a six-month investigation the paper conducted in 1998, as well as an update of the series based on fresh research done five years later.
Sex With Students: When Employees Cross the Line
December 2, 1998 It may start with a warm smile or an affectionate hug. But often, far more often than many people think, those friendly moments mask the first steps by a teacher or coach down the road that leads to sexual relations with their young charges and the shattering of a sacred trust.
• Abuse by Women Raises Its Own Set of Problems
• In Youth's Tender Emotions, Abusers Find Easy Pickings
• Labels Like 'Pedophile' Don't Explain the Many Faces of Child Sexual Abuse
States Target Sexual Abuse By Educators
April 30, 2003 On any day of the year, it's long been easy to find reports of sexual misconduct by school employees. But now, a new Education Week survey suggests, at least some state policymakers are starting to pay more attention.
• Family Heals After Teacher-Student Relationship
• No Easy Answers for Schools in Misconduct Inquiries
10 States Act to Stop Teacher Sex Abuse
Governors, state education officials, and lawmakers have led the push for new measures in an effort to train an entire state's corps of teachers to recognize potential abusers in their midst. May 29, 2008, AP
N.Y. Legislature Triples Budget of Teacher Sex Investigative UnitRestoration of funding will support effort to reduce a backlog of hundreds of cases involving teachers and administrators accused of having sex with students. April 11, 2008, AP
States Weigh Plans to Address Educator Sexual AbusePolicymakers across the country are responding to national and local media coverage of teacher misconduct. February 5, 2008
Policies on Educator Sexual Misconduct Put ForwardGovernors, legislative leaders and top education officials are pledging to close loopholes that have allowed teacher sexual misconduct to persist. November 5, 2007, AP
Efforts to Curb Educator Sex Abuse Seen as WeakEvery school has rules governing teacher behavior. Every state has laws against child abuse, and many specifically outlaw teachers’ taking sexual liberties with students. Yet people like Chad Maughan stay in the classroom. October 23, 2007
Signs of Improper Sexual Interest From EducatorsWhile most educators are dedicated professionals, investigators and academic experts who have studied teacher sexual misconduct say there are some warning signs that should make parents pay more attention and take action. October 23, 2007
Schoolhouse Sex-Abuse Suspects Face Serial AccusationsTime and again in their seven-month investigation of sexual misconduct by teachers, Associated Press reporters discovered cases in which educators accused of such misconduct continued to teach. October 23, 2007
Band Teacher’s Abuse Scars Family, Splits CommunityImmediately after news of one teachers arrest hit in January 2005, people began questioning the girls' motives: Why didn't they come forward sooner? Were they really telling the truth? October 22, 2007
Gender Affects Response to Teacher-Student SexGirls often are ostracized for bringing down educators, while boys are seen as ‘lucky’. October 22, 2007
Sex Abuse a Shadow Over U.S. SchoolsThe Associated Press investigates a widespread problem in American schools: sexual misconduct by the very teachers who are supposed to be nurturing the nation’s children. October 21, 2007
Calif. Rules Mask Details of Sex-Related MisconductMore than 300 California educators had their teaching licenses revoked or suspended because of sex-related offenses from 2001 through 2005. But you can’t tell that from the state’s enforcement records. October 21, 2007
Overview: How Project UnfoldedAssociated Press reporters in every state and the District of Columbia worked for months to provide a national look at sexual misconduct among educators. October 20, 2007
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