LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – A new survey released by the Michigan Education Association found an increase in disruptive student behavior has led to interruptions in learning and workplace safety for teachers. 

“We as a state must do everything we can to support our educators, students and parents in making our local schools protective and nurturing places,” said MEA President Chandra Madafferi about the study. “Michigan teachers and support staff are working hard every day to keep their students and one another safe and healthy, but they need more support.

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The study was conducted by Emma White Research, an Ann Arbor based national polling and research firm, polled more than 3,000 K-12 teachers and support staff. 

“Large majorities of educators report verbal outbursts and chronic absenteeism in their classrooms, but more serious challenges are also widespread, including majorities who have experienced damaged property and verbal threats, and over a quarter who have been injured by students,” researchers said in a statement. “On average, educators report a loss of 12 hours of instruction a month due to unsafe student behavior.” 

According to the data, 81% of the respondents reported “verbal outbursts by students that significantly disrupt learning” and the fewest category, 27% recorded being “physically injured by a student.”  

Similarly, the study indicated that the effects were felt across geographic lines. Researchers found “86% of big city educators have experienced verbal outbursts by students that significantly disrupt learning, along with 84% in small cities, 78% in the suburbs, and 81% in rural areas. Meanwhile, 39% of big city educators report having experienced physical injury, along with 29% of those in small cities, 27% in suburban locations and 24% in rural areas.”

Principal of the study, Emma White, highlighted how teachers in different areas are having similar experiences. 

“Educators made it clear in this survey that serious student mental health needs are putting students, educators and others at risk,” said White about the report. “Regardless of whether they’re in urban, suburban or rural school districts, teachers and school support staff report significant concerns about the safety of themselves and their students.”

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Teachers across many classrooms also reported losing significant instructional time. 

“Four in ten educators say they lose more than five hours of direct instructional time a month to unsafe student behavior: 14% say they lose between six and ten hours, 14% between 11 and 20 hours, and 13% more than twenty hours,” the study found. “The mean number of hours reported lost per month is 12, while the median is just under 5.”

The state needs to invest in more mental health professionals including school counselors, social workers, and psychologists according to MEA President Madafferi. 

“That also means continuing to push for adequate school funding and additional resources targeted to students who need more support,” Madafferis said in a statement. “Finally, we must have a conversation about appropriate student placements and grade level expectations, ensuring every student is in the environment that will lead to the most success.”

The Michigan legislature passed its largest educational budget this past June, increasing the per-pupil allocation by $458 for an overall $9,608 per student.