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STATEMENT OF PURPOSE The purpose of the proposed research study is to determine what level of understanding the teachers and staff of Hosea Elementary School possess in regards to the processes and procedures needed to comply with the Missouri Revised Statute dealing with mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse (MRS 210.115). STATEMENT OF RESEARCH METHODOLOGY The proposed study will rely upon data generated from the responses of the Hosea faculty and teaching staff to a survey questionnaire to be designed by the student researcher. ANTICIPATED RISKS AND BENEFITS This study is anticipated to pose a very minimal risk to the survey subjects; the only potential risk is that of the respondent’s discomfort in answering questions regarding child abuse and neglect. As any respondent can choose not to answer any question they would find objectionable, it is doubtful that any adverse effects will be seen to occur. It is hoped and anticipated that the results of this study will provide the researcher with a robust and comprehensive picture of how well the staff and teachers at Hosea Elementary School understand their responsibilities and duties as they pertain to compliance with MRS 210.115. Additionally, any deficiencies or ambiguity regarding these duties can be addressed using the data that will be collected during the study, thus improving the quality of life and the physical and emotional well being of schoolchildren at Hosea. SUBJECT SELECTION The proposed study will seek to obtain the participation of all teachers and other school staff covered by MRS 210.115 (counselors, administration, etc.), which in total number approximately 25 persons of varying ages and demographics. No benefit or reward of any kind will be given to the research subjects, and their participation will be strictly voluntary. CONFIDENTIALITY The individual data collected during this research study will be held in the strictest possible confidence. No identifying information will be asked or recorded in the course of administering the survey questionnaires, and no individual’s answers will be attributable to them in any way.