Do Elementary Teachers Get Drug Tested?

Teachers have a significant influence on students because they are figures of authority at school, where children spend most of their time. And elementary school children are most susceptible to outside influences. The constant presence in a child’s life leads most parents to believe that teachers are tested for drugs before being hired. But are they?

Elementary teachers do not get drug tested as part of the recruitment process or during their employment in most public or private schools in the US. The lack of testing is because teachers rank low in terms of drug use and compulsory testing would infringe upon a teacher’s basic rights.

And while this is the norm today, should teachers be subjected to drug tests? In the rest of this article, we will dive deeper into why teachers don’t get tested and explore a few reasons why schools should consider drug testing before employing a teacher.

Why Elementary Teachers Don’t Get Drug Tested

There’s a debate going on today among school administrators, educators, and parents on whether drug tests should be mandatory for teachers. It’s understandable why people are concerned, given how much time teachers spend with their kids.

Below we’ve listed some common reasons why teachers don’t get tested.

1. Teachers Rank Low in Terms of Drug Use

The statistics show us that a meager 4% of teachers in the US are caught using drugs.

Also, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, teachers rank 18th out of 19 professionals in terms of illegal drug use.

These numbers indicate that drug use among staff members isn’t a concern in our school system. It’s no wonder schools don’t bother with testing their teachers.

2. It’s an Unnecessary Expense

Due to the small percentage of educators found using illegal drugs, most institutions view drug testing for teachers as an added cost. Considering that among a group of teachers there’s a one in twenty-five (4%) chance of finding someone who uses, spending $55 for a test seems like a waste of resources.

Moreover, most schools, private and public, have budgetary constraints regarding their operational costs. As such, using their limited resources on programs that are higher on the priority list is a more efficient use of their money.

3. Drug Tests Infringe on The Right to Privacy

Another reason why teachers don’t get tested for drugs is because it infringes on the teacher’s right to keep their private lives confidential. In the process of conducting drug tests, the school may discover other information about their general health that the teacher may not want to disclose.

This right to privacy is one of the main reasons why schools that previously conducted drug tests have discontinued them.

There have been numerous debates on whether teachers should get tested with a focus on the fact that teachers should have a right to keep their personal lives private. The only time someone can interfere is if there have been reports of drug use or reasonable suspicion (and evidence) that a teacher is carrying illegal substances.

4. Drug Tests Can Make Teachers Demotivated

To add on to the previous point, requiring drug tests without suspicion, or conducting mandatory drug tests as a blanket rule can demotivate teachers and make them resentful. Aside from violating their privacy, the tests are often perceived as an unnecessary burden, particularly because there’s a possibility of the drug test coming out with a false positive result.

Then there’s a whole other process for a teacher to rectify the issue and prove they aren’t on drugs. And while they will eventually clear their name (if they’re clean) the inconvenience can affect the atmosphere at work and even negatively impact a teacher’s performance.

There is already a major shortage of teachers across the United States, and mandatory drug testing is likely to exacerbate the problem.

If you want a few more opinions on whether teachers should be tested for drugs, you can check out this YouTube video:

Why Schools Should Consider Drug Testing Teachers

The numbers mentioned earlier are an indicator that there’s no reason to worry about teachers using drugs. However, we’re not out of the woods yet because there’s still a tiny percentage of teachers that have been found using drugs.

And while it isn’t a lot of people, and despite the current issues institutions face with testing, should they consider mandating drug tests in the future? Let’s discuss some of the reasons why schools should consider getting their teachers tested.

Creates a Safe and Protected Environment for Students

One of the biggest advantages of having teachers undergo drug tests is that the school ensures a healthy environment for both students as well as faculty and staff. When all teachers can safely submit to drug testing and come out with negative results, both students and their parents can be at ease.

Testing can help remove any doubts that parents may have regarding the teachers who interact with their kids on a regular basis. This safe environment is crucial in elementary school where teachers are in charge of children who are in their formative years and highly suggestible.

Aside from the kids, drug testing can create a safer space for the rest of the faculty, the administrators, and fellow teachers. And creating a space where teachers feel comfortable is essential to running a successful school.

One of the main reasons is that teachers want to be part of an institution that is safe in the eyes of parents. One teacher getting caught for illegal activity puts the reputation of the entire school and its faculty at stake.

Most people won’t remember the names of specific teachers who tested positive. But they’re sure to remember the name of the school that had a teacher using drugs. And this negative stamp can make it harder for teachers to find new jobs in the highly-competitive field of education.

Prevents Future Users From Joining

Aside from creating a safe space, mandatory drug testing also helps prevent future instances of illegal drug use. By including drug tests in the recruitment phase, schools can weed out applicants who aren’t willing to submit to the ethical standards set by the school.

Additionally, the practice of requiring drug tests helps not only to identify users but also dissuade those who may consider using drugs while in a teaching position. As such, testing helps create an environment where users are identified at the start and the school is kept safe from future violators as well.

Rules and standards work sometimes, but in reality, some people (especially those who are intent on having their own way) will disregard the rules if they can get away with it. And when it comes to using illicit drugs in a school environment, this attitude can be dangerous.

In fact, if there are teachers who use drugs, they will likely choose to work in schools where requirements for drug testing are loose.

From a parent’s perspective, having mandatory tests can be a relief given how rampant drug use and trafficking are in today’s world.

Sends a Clear Message About Illegal Drugs

Another essential benefit of having teachers tested is that it sends out a message that schools are intent on protecting their children from the influence of and exposure to illegal drugs.

According to the National Center for Drug Abuse, 47% of the youth in our country will have used illegal drugs by the time they graduate high school. And if you think it’s just high school students at risk, you’re wrong.

Influences from social media, peers, and adults can suggest to small children that drugs are alright or that trying out drugs is fun. And smaller children are heavily influenced by these sources and may grow up to become users themselves.

As such, it’s crucial for educators to have a positive influence on their students and be adamant about teachers adhering to testing.

Random Drug Tests Are Inexpensive

One of the major concerns about testing is that standard tests can be pretty expensive. However, teachers can significantly reduce their costs by avoiding mandatory drug screening for teachers. Instead, schools can opt for random tests in batches as an effective measure to spot offenders and send a warning message to those using illegal drugs.

Schools can opt for these tests at a much lower cost because they can allow only a few teachers to be tested at a time.

While it isn’t too pleasant, one of the quickest ways to start is by grouping together those teachers that the school has suspicions about. Of course, the schools need to go about this in a way that the teachers don’t feel targeted. But with the right organization, schools can get all their teachers tested without spending too much time or resources.

Conclusion

The debate on whether drug tests should be mandatory for elementary teachers continues, and while there are advantages to it, schools must remember to stay respectful of their teachers’ privacy.

While most parents would prefer that teachers undergo drug tests, they have to be careful about pushing for these tests as teachers can get offended. Drug tests should only be carried out when the school can do so safely and without infringing on the rights of their teachers.

If you’re considering a career as an elementary school teacher, here are 12 things you should know.