At least 77 men and women school employees, from New York City to the smallest rural districts, lost their licenses over the past five years for sexual misconduct involving students. That's according to records obtained by The Associated Press under the state Freedom of Information Law.
Beyond brief scandals in local headlines, the records show sex with students and sex-related offenses are by far the most common reason licenses are revoked or denied.
Many of the teachers, principals, aides and coaches abused children for months or years before their licenses were revoked. Rather than one-time sexual assaults, most are termed "sexual relationships" that can last months.
The state records mirror the growing concern nationwide about sexual abuse of children in schools.
