Bill Overview
Title: Trauma-Informed Schools Act of 2022
Description: This bill provides for the use of trauma-informed practices in public elementary and secondary schools and allows states to use certain federal funds to train teachers and other staff in such practices. The bill defines t rauma-informed practices to include evidence-based professional development that promotes a shared understanding among teachers and other staff that adverse and potentially traumatic experiences are common among students and that school-wide learning environments where all students and adults feel safe, welcomed, and supported can enable students to succeed despite such experiences; adoption of disciplinary procedures and practices that utilize evidence-based restorative practices that build a culture of trust; and activities that engage teachers, other staff, and families in a process of school-based planning to help all students feel safe and connected to the school community.
Sponsors: Rep. Clark, Katherine M. [D-MA-5]
Target Audience
Population: Students in public elementary and secondary schools
Estimated Size: 50800000
- There are approximately 90,000 public elementary and secondary schools in the United States and over 4 million teachers and other school staff.
- Each public school in the U.S. hosts on average about 535 students, leading to a population of approximately 48 million students.
- Teachers and school staff undergoing training in trauma-informed practices would directly include all 4 million educators and staff.
- The bill accounts for environments to make students feel safe and supported, directly impacting the 48 million students in varying degrees, especially those with adverse experiences.
Reasoning
- Trauma-Informed Schools Act targets both educators and students, focusing on increasing safety and emotional support, which can positively impact student's mental health and academic performance.
- The policy budget will mainly cover training for 4 million teachers and school staff, indirectly benefiting 48–50.8 million students in public schools based on estimates.
- The focus on evidence-based training and disciplinary changes creates environments where children, particularly vulnerable ones, can feel supported, potentially improving their wellbeing and school engagement.
- The policy will provide varying degrees of impact across the student body, with those experiencing past trauma likely to gain more immediate benefits.
- Considering the population distribution, not every student interacts with the newly trained educators daily, meaning the impact may not be uniform across all schools.
- As the program evolves over 10 years, the gradual increase in trauma-informed environments will potentially show a more significant long-term impact.
Simulated Interviews
Student (Detroit, MI)
Age: 10 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't like school sometimes because some teachers don't understand what I go through at home.
- I want my teachers to help me feel safer when I'm at school.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Teacher (Charlotte, NC)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This new training means I'll be better equipped to help my students who are struggling.
- I'm hopeful that with these practices, we can make school a safer space for our kids.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
School Principal (Portland, OR)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned about the budget allocation and whether it will be enough for the long-term change.
- Our staff is eager but needs more comprehensive support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 16 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've always felt that more could be done to help students with problems outside school.
- Hope this change makes interactions with teachers more understanding.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
School Counselor (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The training aligns with what we've been advocating for years.
- This policy can change how we address students' issues fundamentally.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Student (Austin, TX)
Age: 11 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I feel a bit scared sometimes because of what's happening at home.
- I hope school becomes a place where I can talk and feel understood.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see how necessary these practices are, but I'm worried about implementation in underfunded areas.
- Change feels slow, but necessary.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Recent High School Graduate (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 18 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I wish there were more support for struggling students like me when I was in school.
- It's good to hear they are making things safer.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired Teacher (Miami, FL)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Support for trauma-informed schools is a positive change based on my years of experience.
- It should prioritise adaptable and long-term strategies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Parent of two elementary school students (Seattle, WA)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's crucial for schools to support children, especially in today's climate.
- I hope this initiative can ease some of the stress my kids feel.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1000000000 (Low: $900000000, High: $1100000000)
Year 2: $1000000000 (Low: $900000000, High: $1100000000)
Year 3: $1000000000 (Low: $900000000, High: $1100000000)
Year 5: $1000000000 (Low: $900000000, High: $1100000000)
Year 10: $1050000000 (Low: $950000000, High: $1150000000)
Year 100: $1200000000 (Low: $1100000000, High: $1300000000)
Key Considerations
- Training and cultural shifts require buy-in from all involved parties to be effective.
- The quality and content of training can significantly impact the effectiveness of trauma-informed practices.
- Ongoing monitoring and adaptation of these practices based on results are necessary to achieve intended outcomes.
- Variation in school size and needs will affect implementation costs and savings.