@new_england_unfiltered: A Maine education study is documenting serious concerns about classroom safety, staffing and the resources available to educators. Researchers working with the University of Southern Maine and Maine’s Education Policy Research Institute surveyed more than 3,400 licensed educators. Among the reported findings: Up to 40% of surveyed educators reported minor physical injuries, while up to 23% reported major physical injuries. Managing student behavior accounted for as much as 16% of classroom time. Fewer than one-third reported receiving professional development related to classroom management. Even fewer received training in behavioral interventions. Separately, state injury records obtained by CBS13’s investigative team show serious staff injuries remain above pre-pandemic levels. These findings describe reported experiences and broader trends. They do not establish that every school faces the same conditions. WHY WE’RE WATCHING: Maine Education Association President Jesse Hargrove says schools need updated training, adequate staffing and stronger mental-health resources. The conversation shouldn’t become a contest between protecting educators and supporting students with complex needs. Schools have obligations to both. When educators report injuries and insufficient preparation, the response cannot simply be another training recommendation without the staffing and resources necessary to implement it. #MaineNews #TeacherSafety #PublicEducation #SchoolSafety #EducationFunding
