• bruises, welts, cuts, or other injuries
• broken bones
• burns

A child experiencing physical abuse may:

• seem withdrawn or depressed
• seem afraid to go home or may run away
• shy away from physical contact
• be aggressive
• wear inappropriate clothing to hide injuries

• torn, stained or bloody underwear
• trouble walking or sitting
• pain or itching in genital area
• a sexually transmitted disease

A child experiencing sexual abuse may:

• have unusual knowledge of sex or act seductively
• fear a particular person
• seem withdrawn or depressed
• gain or lose weight suddenly
• shy away from physical contact
• run away from home

• unattended medical needs
• little or no supervision at home
• poor hygiene
• appear underweight

A child experiencing neglect may:

• be frequently tired or hungry
• steal food
• appear overly needy for adult attention

Serious abuse usually involves a combination of factors.  While a single sign may not be significant, a pattern of physical or behavioral signs is a serious indicator and should be reported.

All employees and agents of a public school district, charter school or private school have an obligation and legal responsibility to report misconduct by instructional personnel and school administrators which affects the health, safety or welfare of a student. View additional information and reporting contact information through the PDF below.

Click To View PDF

– Obligation to the Student: Requires educators to protect students from harmful conditions, avoid exploiting relationships for personal gain, refrain from harassment or discrimination, and keep personally identifiable information confidential.

– Obligation to the Public: Requires educators to maintain honesty in
all professional dealings and never use their institutional position for
personal gain or unauthorized financial advantage.

– *Obligation to the Profession*: Requires educators to exhibit integrity, adhere to state and local school codes, and report known or suspected violations without fear of reprisal

Mandatory Reporting and Misconduct

State law strictly dictates how allegations of misconduct must be handled:

– Duty to Report: All employees, instructional personnel, and school administrators have a strict legal and professional obligation to report misconduct affecting the health, safety, or welfare of a student. Failure to do so can result in the loss of a teaching certificate or criminal charges

– Prohibition of “Pass the Trash”: Administrators are prohibited from entering into confidentiality agreements with personnel who resign or are terminated due to misconduct. Districts must report these actions to the state to prevent these individuals from moving to other schools.

Training & Disciplinary Procedures

Required Training: As a condition of employment, all instructional personnel and administrators are required to undergo regular training on the state’s standards of ethical conduct

Disciplinary Actions: The Florida Department of Education’s Office of Professional Practices Services oversees the investigation and prosecution of misconduct. Penalties can range from reprimands and probation to the permanent suspension or revocation of an educator’s certificate.

Email: report@jsakids.org

Email: hr@jsakids.org

Click To View PDF