The Colorado Educator Safety Task Force (ESTF), established by House Bill 24-1320 to address educator safety, has released its comprehensive report. This pivotal document examines aggressive or violent student behavior toward school staff, a growing concern evident from a survey of over 1,100 educators. The survey, conducted by Confluence Policy and Strategy Group, revealed a significant problem with violence in schools, aligning with national trends post-COVID.
The Task Force, comprising seventeen members and supported by four subcommittees with dozens of diverse experts, met monthly from September 2024 to June 2025. Their work incorporated lived experiences, including a poignant testimony from an educator who suffered a severe head injury, concussion, and broken tailbone after a student assault.
The ESTF's report highlights five key takeaways and guiding beliefs:
- Multi-Level Action: Solutions require efforts from individual staff to state-level programs, with community involvement.
- Critical School Climate: A positive, trauma-informed school culture is essential for reducing and responding to incidents.
- Continuous Training: Ongoing training, especially in de-escalation and crisis response, is vital for all staff.
- Funding and Resources: Adequate funding and resource allocation directly impact safety, affecting ratios and access to mental health support.
- Action with Limited Resources: While substantial funding is ideal, meaningful actions can still be taken by all partners.
This report serves as a call to action, emphasizing that supporting educators creates safer and more effective learning environments for all Colorado students.
The full report from the Colorado Educator Safety Task Force is now available.
