A Content Analysis of Professional Accreditation Requirements of Maltreatment Training for School Practitioners

Child maltreatment is a pressing issue in the United States with profound societal and health implications. School practitioners are mandated reporters who play a pivotal role in addressing this problem. This study explores the accreditation requirements of educator preparation programs for school practitioners. We scrutinized accreditation standards from six professional organizations, revealing 72 standards addressing child maltreatment training. Four major themes emerged: (a) ethical and legal considerations, (b) learning environment, (c) development, and (d) consultation and collaboration. These findings shed light on the need for comprehensive training in recognizing and addressing child maltreatment among school practitioners.