Broken Trust

In an investigative series by the Sarasota (Fla.) Herald-Tribune staffers Matt Doig, Tiffany Lankes and editor Chris Davis expose an epidemic of misconduct in Florida schools. In the past ten years, more than 750 Florida teachers have been punished for misconduct toward students, and at least 150 are still teaching today. It's possible that the actual number of questionable teachers still working is much larger because 70 percent of cases reported to the state are dismissed as unfounded by state investigators who have little or no formal training. When cases do proceed, 90 percent end in settlement deals that keep teachers from having to admit guilt.