TAMPA, Fla. — Frequent school fights at a Florida high school have become commonplace, even prompting a dedicated social media page. This level of student misconduct is increasingly viewed as normal on school campuses, according to teachers.

St. Petersburg veteran teacher Delia Doss expressed concern about escalating student behavior. “It has definitely become out of control,” she stated. Doss, who has experience teaching across all school levels in Florida, describes daily challenges with students who engage in taunting and disrespectful behavior, disrupting the educational environment.

In the aftermath of the pandemic, Florida teachers continue to struggle with student behavior, which has not returned to pre-COVID levels. The 2022-2023 school year saw a record number of suspensions, with over 193,000 students suspended, and 858 students expelled from public schools statewide, as reported by the Florida Department of Education.

Incidents of violence against educators have also been alarming. In 2023, a video went viral showing a Flagler County teacher’s aide knocked unconscious by a student with special needs.

Former middle school teacher Stacey Sawyer left teaching due to the rising violence, a sentiment echoed in numerous teacher exit interviews that describe student behavior as "out of control" and "extreme."

Both Sawyer and Doss highlight systemic issues contributing to the problem, including limited school authority, the pervasive influence of smartphones and social media, and a lack of parental accountability. In one instance, a video showed a Hillsborough County mother instigating a fight at a school bus stop involving her son, which led to her being charged with child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a child.

The rising incidents have led to the formation of the American Psychological Association Task Force on Violence Against Educators, chaired by Professor Susan McMahon, who stresses the importance of addressing this issue.

Andrew Spar of the Florida Education Association pointed out the need for more mental health services in schools to address the root causes of these disciplinary issues. “We must get at the root of the problem with student discipline, which is ensuring sufficient mental health services are available,” he stated.

Doss emphasized the urgent need for change, as the continuous struggle to engage students takes a toll on educators. “Every day is a battle to motivate students to value their education, and it's incredibly draining,” she remarked.