State law, Florida statute 39 requires mandatory reporting of known or suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Florida statute 415 requires mandatory reporting of known or suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of adult disabled students.
As educators, our primary goal is to enhance the learning of children and to remove barriers, academic or environmental, that make learning difficult. Not all children come to school equally prepared to learn. Sometimes cognitive problems or handicapping conditions interfere. Sometimes it is social, emotional or behavioral problems that present difficulty. The residual effects of child abuse, abandonment, and neglect, by themselves or in combination with the previously stated factors, present a serious challenge to learning.
The Florida Department of Education mandates child abuse training for all new teachers, and The School District Of Lee County Public Schools also requires this training for all experienced staff who are new to our school district. The Principles of Professional Conduct For The Education Profession In The State Of Florida require reasonable efforts to protect the student.
Recognizing Abuse and Neglect in Children
Child abuse is more than bruises and broken bones. While physical abuse might be the most visible, other types of abuse can leave deep, lasting scars as well. The earlier abused children get help, the greater chance they have to heal and break the cycle—rather than perpetuate it. By learning about common signs of abuse and what you can do to intervene, you can make a huge difference in a child's life. The four types of abuse is physical, neglect, sexual and emotional.