In Utah, reports of classroom discipline cases have surged, nearly doubling since the pandemic. Analysts suggest that this increase may be partly due to improved reporting methods. However, psychologists highlight a deeper issue: students are struggling to reintegrate into social environments after prolonged isolation during COVID-19.
Students like Sarai and Siria Mendoza from West High School note that returning to school can be overwhelming and that bullying behaviors seem to have intensified. Data from the Utah State Board of Education corroborates their experiences, showing significant spikes in incidents of bullying, fighting, harassment, and threats over the past five years. In 2023, over 105,000 incidents were reported, compared to nearly 55,000 in 2018, with over 200 students criminally cited this year. The state board is aware of these rising discipline cases and is considering responses to address the issues.
https://www.kutv.com/news/local/classroom-discipline-cases-in-utah-almost-double-since-pre-pandemic
