Handling Child Abuse and Neglect Cases in Texas Schools: Guidance for K-12 Educators by Haley Stanley https://padlet.com/hstanley19/cp34ibg0x9dfovud Haley Stanley, EDG 6305, Summer 2020 en-us 2020-07-17 00:17:18 UTC 2020-07-17 22:22:32 UTC hello@padlet.com Slide #1: My Professional Perspective hstanley19 https://padlet.com/hstanley19/cp34ibg0x9dfovud/wish/656504796 My professional perspective is that of a future middle school or high school counselor. I am currently a 6th grade science teacher and I will be entering my sixth year of teaching in the fall. I graduated with my bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University and I am currently working on attaining my master's degree in Professional School Counseling from Angelo State University. This Padlet serves as a guide for handling child abuse or neglect in Texas schools for educators at the K-12 level. I chose this topic because sometimes, teachers are unsure of their legal duties when confronted with a situation of child abuse or neglect. Additionally, in order to support and care for our students, we must ensure that all educators understand what child abuse and neglect is defined as by law so that they are able to identify it.]]> 2020-07-17 01:14:55 UTC https://padlet.com/hstanley19/cp34ibg0x9dfovud/wish/656504796 Slide #2: Importance of Understanding How to Handle Child Abuse/ Neglect Cases hstanley19 https://padlet.com/hstanley19/cp34ibg0x9dfovud/wish/656539867 One of the primary roles of educators is to provide care, support, and safety to their students. Due to this, it is imperative that K-12 educators across Texas understand the legal implications that come with making reports on child abuse/ neglect. There are over 3 million child abuse reports every year and of those, only 1 in 10 children will tell anyone about their abuse (Northside ISD, 2018). This is why it is so important for educators to understand the warning signs of potential child abuse/ neglect and what actions they need to take next.

According to a report out of Dallas, child abuse and neglect reports are down 43% from this time last year (Collins, 2020). While at first, that may seem like a celebration, it is actually very concerning. On a typical year, many of the reports made come from caring adults in education who suspect the abuse or neglect after observing or noticing something in a student that just doesn't seem right. With in-class learning being moved to a virtual environment, these kind of observations are not being made. As educators, it is so important to continue to build relationships/ check in with students even in the virtual classroom environment so that there is a higher chance of identifying these situations.

Reference

Collins, L. (2020). During COVID-19 school closures child abuse, neglect calls drop drastically. Retrieved from https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/coronavirus/during-covid-19-school-closures-child-abuse-neglect-calls-drop-drastically/2390136/

Northside ISD. (2018). What is child abuse? Retrieved from
https://nisd.net/employees/system/files/attachments/2018_nisd_child_abuse_powerpoint.pdf
]]> 2020-07-17 02:03:15 UTC https://padlet.com/hstanley19/cp34ibg0x9dfovud/wish/656539867 Slide #6: Legal Definition of Abuse & Neglect (Statutory Law) hstanley19 https://padlet.com/hstanley19/cp34ibg0x9dfovud/wish/656550318 The Texas Family Code outlines what the definition is for abuse and neglect. This helps educators to better understand if there students are or are not considered victims of abuse or neglect. Here are what the definitions inform us of:

Abuse:
  • mental or emotional injury
  • physical injury
  • not attempting to prevent harm to a child
  • sexual conduct or encouraging sexual conduct that is harmful to the child (physically, mentally, or emotionally)
  • use of controlled substances that adversely affects the child
  • exploitation

Neglect:
  • leaving the child in a potentially dangerous situation
  • not following through with medical care for the child
  • not providing the child with adequate food, clothing, or shelter
(Tex. Family Code § 261.001)

Reference
Investigation of Report of Child Abuse or Neglect, Tex. Family Code § 261.001 
]]> 2020-07-17 02:16:35 UTC https://padlet.com/hstanley19/cp34ibg0x9dfovud/wish/656550318 Slide #3: ASCD's Stance on Supporting Victims of Child Abuse in the Classroom hstanley19 https://padlet.com/hstanley19/cp34ibg0x9dfovud/wish/657097531 In this article released by ASCD, it is noted how large of an impact educators can have on their students lives and how many times, they are the ones that are able to identify the abuse or neglect that their students are undergoing. Though in a prime position, it is imperative for teachers to understand what abuse and neglect are, how to report it, and how to support their students after learning of the abuse or neglect. ASCD goes into great detail in this article to help educate teachers and school staff on this topic (Bear, 1993).

Reference

Bear, T. (1993). Supporting victims of child abuse. Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/dec92/vol50/num04/Supporting-Victims-of-Child-Abuse.aspx]]> 2020-07-17 18:50:38 UTC https://padlet.com/hstanley19/cp34ibg0x9dfovud/wish/657097531 Slide #4: Child Abuse Reports Higher When Report Cards Are Released on Fridays hstanley19 https://padlet.com/hstanley19/cp34ibg0x9dfovud/wish/657121174
  • Study in Florida showed that child abuse reports were higher on Saturdays following a Friday that report cards were distributed in schools
  • When report cards were released during the week (for example a Tuesday), there wasn't a significant increase in child abuse cases
  • Suspected reasons why higher when released on Fridays: parent alcohol consumption, parents assume marks left by abuse will go away over the weekend, parents have "less time" to get angry during the week
  • Takeaway for teachers: For all students (but especially for students with lower grades), focus on the strengths of each student with parents rather than focussing on the negative grades. Additionally, present ideas for positive discipline strategies in regards to lower grades (Sparks, 2018).

Reference

Sparks, S. (2018). Friday report cards may raise risk of child abuse, says study. Retrieved from http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/inside-school-research/2018/12/weekend_report_cards_child_abuse_risk.html
]]> 2020-07-17 19:32:37 UTC https://padlet.com/hstanley19/cp34ibg0x9dfovud/wish/657121174 Slide #5: Child Maltreatment Reports Drop During School Closures hstanley19 https://padlet.com/hstanley19/cp34ibg0x9dfovud/wish/657136536
  • Child abuse and neglect reports have dropped since schools began closing due to COVID-19 in March
  • This drop is likely due to the fact that educators can not make in-person observations about their students well being. Educators typically account for 20 percent of the normal maltreatment reports being made
  • This type of drop typically happens during regular school breaks (ex: summer) when students are not in school
  • It is imperative to check-in with students during virtual learning
  • Additionally, counselors and other educational leaders should implement "virtual home visits" which should include safety checks (De La Rosa, 2020).

    • Reference

    De La Rosa, S. (2020). Child maltreatment reports drop as educators lose access to students during closures. Retrieved from https://www.educationdive.com/news/child-maltreatment-reports-drop-as-educators-lose-access-to-students-during/578284/
    ]]>     2020-07-17 20:02:54 UTC https://padlet.com/hstanley19/cp34ibg0x9dfovud/wish/657136536     Slide #7: Legalities of Making a Child Abuse or Neglect Report (Statutory Law) hstanley19 https://padlet.com/hstanley19/cp34ibg0x9dfovud/wish/657143121 Section 261.101 of the Texas Family Code outlines the legal requirements of making a report of suspected abuse or neglect. It notes that:
    • Whoever the educator is that suspects the abuse or neglect is the individual responsible for making the report
    • The abuse or neglect should be reported immediately
    • The abuse or neglect must be reported within 48 hours of suspecting or hearing of the abuse or neglect
    • You cannot delegate or have someone else make the report
    (Tex. Family Code § 261.101)

    Reference

    Investigation of Report of Child Abuse or Neglect, Tex. Family Code § 261.101 
    ]]>     2020-07-17 20:16:14 UTC https://padlet.com/hstanley19/cp34ibg0x9dfovud/wish/657143121     Slide #8: Are Educators Liable When Making Child Abuse/ Neglect Reports? (Statutory Law) hstanley19 https://padlet.com/hstanley19/cp34ibg0x9dfovud/wish/657149658 The U.S. Code protects educators in the event that they make a report and the investigation proves no such abuse or neglect. It notes that:
    • In the event that the investigation of your child abuse/ neglect report comes back with no such findings, you will not be liable for any civil or criminal action
    • If you are sued for making a report, the plaintiff can be required to pay the defendants legal expenses
    • This is all assuming that the educator reporting the abuse/ neglect was acting in good faith.
    • Takeaway: do not avoid making a report in fear of legal retaliation from others
    (34 U.S.C. § 20341)

    Reference

    Child Abuse Reporting Act of 1990, 34 U.S.C. § 20341 
    ]]>     2020-07-17 20:29:32 UTC https://padlet.com/hstanley19/cp34ibg0x9dfovud/wish/657149658     Slide #9: Texas Legal Requirements for Training Teachers on Child Abuse/ Neglect (Administrative Law) hstanley19 https://padlet.com/hstanley19/cp34ibg0x9dfovud/wish/657154857 The Texas Administrative Code outlines the requirements on trainings that districts must provide educators on handling and reporting child abuse/ neglect cases. It explains that:

    Training must be provided to all teachers regarding recognition of
    • sexual abuse
    • trafficking
    • other maltreatment of children

    Training must include information on
    • risk factors
    • warning signs
    • internal procedures
    • techniques for reducing a child's risk
    • information on community organizations that can help
    (19 T.A.C. § 61.1051).

    Reference

    Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect, 19. Tex. Admin. Code § 61.1051 
    ]]>     2020-07-17 20:40:21 UTC https://padlet.com/hstanley19/cp34ibg0x9dfovud/wish/657154857     Slide #10: Northside ISD's Policy on Reporting Child Abuse (Administrative Law) hstanley19 https://padlet.com/hstanley19/cp34ibg0x9dfovud/wish/657161632 In its employee handbook, Northside ISD outlines its stance on reporting child abuse and neglect. As an employee of the district, it is important to understand where your district stands on this matter. Additionally, you must note if your district has additional requirements for you to follow when making reports. Northside ISD's policy notes that:
    • All employees should abide by the Texas Family Code in regards to reporting child abuse
    • If an employee fails to report suspected child abuse, it may result in their prosecution as a Class A misdemeanor
    • Additional disciplinary actions may also result by SBEC for violating the Texas Educators Code of Ethics
    • Educators should report suspected child abuse or neglect to their principal (even though the report to the principal does not need to come before the report to the appropriate agency)
    • Educators must cooperate with investigations regarding the report
    (Northside ISD, 2019)

    Reference

    Northside ISD. (2019). Employee Handbook. Retrieved from https://nisd.net/employees/system/files/attachments/employeehandbook19.20.6.3.20.pdf 
    ]]>     2020-07-17 20:56:01 UTC https://padlet.com/hstanley19/cp34ibg0x9dfovud/wish/657161632     Slide #11: Texas Educator Code of Ethics hstanley19 https://padlet.com/hstanley19/cp34ibg0x9dfovud/wish/657171455 Standard 3.2 of the Texas Educator Code of Ethics expresses that “the educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly treat a student or minor in a manner that adversely affects or endangers the learning, physical health, mental health, or safety of the student or minor.” (19 T.A.C. § 247.2).

    This ethical standard is very important in regards to reporting suspected child abuse or neglect. If an educator suspects or knows that a student is being abused or neglected but does not make the necessary reports in the lawfully designated amount of time, he or she could potentially be keeping this student in a dangerous situation. If there is no report made, the educator would be indirectly bringing harm to the student.

    Reference

    Educator Code of Ethics, 19. Tex. Admin. Code § 247.2 ]]>     2020-07-17 21:22:23 UTC https://padlet.com/hstanley19/cp34ibg0x9dfovud/wish/657171455     Slide #12: Mayo Clinic Publication of Child Abuse/ Neglect Symptoms hstanley19 https://padlet.com/hstanley19/cp34ibg0x9dfovud/wish/657179576 The Mayo Clinic has created a document that outlines some of the symptoms of child abuse and neglect. They break the types of maltreatment into the following categories: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, medical abuse, and neglect. The document then goes into the "symptoms" for each (Mayo Clinic, 2018). This is extremely valuable for educators as it outlines what to look for in our classroom in regards to child abuse and neglect.

    Reference

    Mayo Clinic. (2018). Child abuse symptoms and causes. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/child-abuse/symptoms-causes/syc-20370864]]>     2020-07-17 21:46:50 UTC https://padlet.com/hstanley19/cp34ibg0x9dfovud/wish/657179576     Slide #13: Best Practices When Suspecting and Handling Child Abuse and Neglect in Education hstanley19 https://padlet.com/hstanley19/cp34ibg0x9dfovud/wish/657186628
  • Ensure that you are aware of what the state of Texas defines as "abuse" and "neglect" for children in Texas. Without understanding this, it may be difficult to identify it in your students.
  • If you suspect child abuse or neglect in a student, it is your responsibility to make the report. You legally cannot have someone else make the report for you. It has to be you.
  • You should make the report immediately. If you do not make reports of the suspected maltreatment within 48 hours, you could face legal consequences.
  • In the event that you report suspected abuse or neglect and the investigation proves that the child is not in danger, you cannot face any type of civil or criminal consequences (assuming you made the report with good intentions).
  • Your school district's stance on reporting child abuse and neglect most likely aligns completely with the state and federal government's, but make sure you check to see if there are any additional requirements. For example, Northside ISD requires that you also tell your campus principal of the suspected abuse.
  • Be knowledgeable on the signs of child abuse and neglect in children. You could save your student's life by doing so.
  • Educators account for twenty percent of the child abuse reports made every year. That means that when students are not on campus, less reports are being made but maltreatment is still occurring.
    • ]]>     2020-07-17 22:05:10 UTC https://padlet.com/hstanley19/cp34ibg0x9dfovud/wish/657186628