Legal Responsibilities of Educators in Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect in the United States

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to learn what the legal responsibilities are in the United States for educators when they suspect child abuse and/or neglect in their classrooms. State superintendents or commissioners of education in the fifty states and the District of Columbia were polled. All, but three states, and the District of Columbia responded. The results of the information collected are presented in a six-step format. It is highly recommended that all state departments of education readily provide information for educators on the legal responsibilities of reporting child abuse and neglect