Dive Brief:

• Florida's Oxbridge Academy of the Palm Beaches, an elite private school founded by William I. Koch, has investigated allegations of sexual harassment, kickbacks, grade-changing, and violations related to high school sports regulations; Oxbridge fired at least one school staffer and declined to renew the contracts of others, The New York Times reports.
• In New Hampshire, a new federal lawsuit filed by the victim in a high-profile sex assault case involving students at the elite St. Paul's School alleges that the school did nothing to stop the abuse after it was reported.
• Problems related to the reporting and adjudication of misconduct in K-12 classrooms isn't limited to elite or private schools: Public schools face similar issues with oversight around complaints and reporting requirements that vary state-to-state, further complicated by the fact that they can involve various public agencies.

Dive Insight:

Nationwide, sexual harassment in K-12 schools remains a pervasive problem. Little research exists on the subject, and many cases and investigations are subject to union-driven confidentiality agreements that protect teachers. Underage victims are also shielded. 

One frequently-touted study from the American Association of University Women (AAUW) found 48% of middle and high school students between the ages of 12 and 18 reported being sexually harassed at least once, usually by peers, during the 2010-11 academic year. Yet both private and public schools have incentives to cover up allegations of wrongdoing, whether it's fraud, sex abuse, or, as in the new case at Oxbridge Academy, sports rules violations. School reputation plays a role in attracting students and maintaining status.

For public schools, a bad reputation can lead to decreased enrollment, which can snowball into a potential drop in per-pupil funding. Private school donations can also suffer. School leaders in both public and private schools need to ensure that the guidelines surrounding potential offenses and their reporting are understood by all school staff and students. Transparency and clearly defined expectations are key to mitigating reporting problems.