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Teachers' perceptions of school violence
1School of Nursing, College of Health and Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey 17033, USA. kmf103@psu.edu
Summary
School violence impacts education quality, with teachers fearing students and parents. Pediatric nurse practitioners are vital in addressing this public health issue affecting schools.
Area of Science:
- Educational Psychology
- Public Health
- Nursing
Background:
- School violence is a significant concern in educational settings.
- Pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) frequently encounter school violence issues.
- Teachers' perspectives on school violence are crucial for understanding its impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To gather teachers' insights into the challenges posed by school violence.
- To assess the perceived impact of school violence on the educational environment.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive study utilizing voluntary questionnaire surveys.
- Surveys were distributed to 536 teachers in a suburban school district.
- Data analysis included percentages, frequencies, and chi-square tests on 393 usable responses.
Main Results:
- 56% of teachers reported that violence or threats directly impacted education quality.
- Elementary teachers were more likely to experience physical assault by students (P=.0006).
- Teachers, particularly at the elementary level, expressed fear of students and parents (P=.002).
Conclusions:
- School violence and associated fears affect educational quality, even in suburban areas.
- Teachers face victimization and fear, impacting their ability to teach effectively.
- Pediatric nurse practitioners have a key role in managing this public health concern within schools.