Educator Sexual Misconduct and Texas Educator Discipline Database Construction

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to describe Texas educator sexual misconduct (ESM) by examining 8 years of sanctions issued to educators (N = 1415) for either sexual misconduct or inappropriate relationships with students or minors. We first examine Texas ESM from the perspective of quality database construction and then describe the demographic characteristics of educators sanctioned for ESM between 2008 and 2016. Differences in the demographic characteristics of educators sanctioned for ESM vary according to the definition of ESM employed by the state education agency. Younger and early career educators are more likely to engage in inappropriate relationships with students or minors, whereas older and later-career teachers are more likely to engage in sexual misconduct as that term is defined by the state education agency. Over one-third of educators sanctioned for ESM were either new to the profession or new to their school district when sanctioned. Recommendations are offered for database construction, policy, and practice.

How Do Gender, Sexuality, and Age Impact Perceptions of Teacher Sexual Misconduct? An Intersectional Vignette-Based Study

“…Throughout this manuscript we use the terms teacher sexual misconduct and sexual misconduct by teachers to describe our phenomenon of study, which is the sexual contact that took place between a fictional teacher and student in our vignette study. This term is consistent with other research (see Frketic & Easteal, 2010;Fromuth et al, 2016;Knoll, 2010, Michaelis, 1996 and is sometimes used interchangeably with the term educator sexual misconduct (Abboud et al, 2020;Robert & Thompson, 2019;Shakeshaft, 2004). In the literature, sexual misconduct by teachers may involve a range of behaviors toward students with varying levels of coercion and/or violence (Frketic & Easteal, 2010).…”

“…Teacher sexual misconduct cases are especially important to study given their rise in frequency (Robert & Thompson, 2019) and the long-term trauma experienced by victims of sexual abuse in these types of cases (Knoll, 2010; Sullivan & Beech, 2002). This study expands upon previous work in this area (Frketic & Easteal, 2010; Fromuth et al, 2001; Geddes et al, 2013; Howell et al, 2011; Shakeshaft, 2004) by incorporating these variables together within one analysis while also implementing novel use of photo-aging technologies through a mobile-based application to offer a more realistic photo vignette manipulation.…”

“…In recent decades the United States has witnessed a steep rise in reports, arrests, and media coverage of teachers’ sexual misconduct with students (Frketic & Easteal, 2010; Knoll, 2010; Robert & Thompson, 2019). Teacher sexual misconduct cases have garnered enough attention to warrant legislation addressing teachers’ unique position of authority over their students.…”

Using Adolescent Perceptions of Misconduct to Help Educational Leaders Identify and Respond to Sexual Misconduct

“…Most of the research on ESM has focused on learning more about the educators who engage in sex with students (Shakeshaft, 2013;Robert & Thompson, 2018). For example, past research suggests that 96% of educators investigated for ESM are male (Shakeshaft & Cohan, 1994).…”