The Role of the School in the Human Ecology of Child Maltreatment

Abstract

from a variety of sources. 1. "Because schools are concerned with the whole child, seeking help for the child in trouble is quite compatible with educational objectives" (American Humane Association 1971, p. 3). 2. "Educators and others who work directly with children have an excellent opportunity and a grave responsibility to identify and properly report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect" (Soeffing 1975, p. 129). 3. "American education is potentially a major resource for helping abused children and their families. But this potential has rarely been tapped and, as yet, has never been fully utilized" (Education Commission of the States 1976, p. 3). 4. "Although school personnel are generally mandated to report suspected abuse or neglect, the requirement is widely disregarded .... There are seldom clear-cut channels for reporting and the extent of the school's involvement is uncertain. Yet few professionals are more genuinely concerned about children" (Delaney 1976, p. 342). 5. "The school system must be convinced, pressured, or even coerced to initiate parenting and early child development courses and skill learning experiences for every elementary, junior, and senior high school student" (Helfer 1976, p. 370).