Slight increase in violence seen in Philadelphia schools

And as part of the district's effort to make schools safer, Golden said, the district increased the number of nonteaching assistants, school police, and other noninstructional employees at the 40 most-troubled schools. Each of those schools also was assigned an administrator who is responsible for overseeing the school climate and safety.

Golden said he believed that approach had helped reduce the number of teachers, administrators and school police who reported being assaulted this academic year.

The district made the changes after Burd, the Germantown High math teacher, was assaulted by students. He was punched by one student and pushed by another, and he fell and broke his neck in a school hallway on Feb. 23, 2007. Both students pleaded guilty and were sent to state juvenile facilities.

Burd said yesterday he was still recuperating and had not returned to work. He declined to comment further.

Shapiro, the former teacher involved with the National Association for Prevention of Teacher Abuse, said she had invited Burd, other injured teachers, other educators, and parents to a public planning meeting for the group on March 30.

"Violence is not down in Philadelphia schools," Shapiro contended. "It has increased. However, if you report it, you are blacklisted."

Information about her group's meeting is available at www.endteacherabuse.org.