Education and Schools Industry
Keeping students safe starts with hiring the right people. Schools, colleges, and educational institutions often use background checks and drug testing to prevent safety concerns and ensure staff are trustworthy. Every year, millions of parents rely on schools to provide a safe environment, and to employ teachers, coaches, and staff who meet the highest standards.
From bus drivers to professors, making sure your team is fully vetted is key to maintaining a secure, welcoming space for learning. Health Street makes this process simple, offering a full range of screening tools to help schools put safety first.
Build trust in your learning environment. Call (888) 378-2499 or register online to schedule background checks and drug testing.
Substance Use Among Educators
Substance use among educators is an often overlooked issue that poses significant risks to student safety and school integrity. According to the National Safety Council, about 8% of education employees suffer from a substance use disorder (SUD). A survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) estimated that about 5.5% of all people in educational services had an addiction disorder.
News stories continue to show how substance use among educators can lead to dangerous outcomes. Cities and states all over the country have experienced issues with this. For example:
-
In Virginia, a second-grade teacher was arrested after being found under the influence of narcotics on school property, with authorities discovering drugs in her classroom.
-
A special education teacher in San Antonio, Texas, was arrested after surveillance footage captured him dropping a matchbox containing methamphetamine in an elementary school hallway.
-
In Wisconsin, a special education teacher was charged with possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia on school grounds, following a search prompted by suspicions of on-campus drug use.
-
In Oklahoma, a third-grade teacher was arrested for being intoxicated during school hours.
Drug Testing Services
Other labs just sell tests. We deliver trust, speed, and real human support for the Education and Schools industry. No hidden steps, no confusing options. Just straightforward, professional drug testing that does what it says it will.
Education Background Checks: Laws, Stats, and Best Practices
Stats Show the Need for Background Checks
To understand why stringent screening is so important in education, consider these eye-opening findings and statistics:
-
In a survey of seven elementary schools, 45% of teachers admitted to bullying a student.
-
In another nationwide study by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Educational Foundation, 38% of students who reported sexual harassment in school said the harasser was a teacher or school staff member.
-
One study of 40 schools reported that 32 of these schools had teachers and staff who knew a male teacher who made sexual advances to a student. Staff members and teachers in 26 of these schools knew a male teacher who got a student pregnant.
Legal Requirements for Schools
All U.S. states require criminal background checks for K-12 teachers. Most states require criminal checks on all employees. Criminal background checks are conducted at state and federal levels and include state and federal sex offender registry checks.
Some states also check the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) clearinghouse (GAO, 2014), which provides information about teachers who lost their credentials from child abuse or sexual offenses. The information in this database is voluntarily provided by each state.
FCRA and Your Screening Responsibilities
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs how schools handle background checks:
-
Employers must get written consent before screening
-
Applicants must receive notice before and after any adverse action
-
Employers must allow time for applicants to respond to findings
-
Failing to follow FCRA rules can result in lawsuits and financial penalties.
EEOC and Hiring Discrimination
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) prohibits schools from making hiring decisions based on race, color, sex, age, disability, or national origin. Religious institutions may make decisions based on religion but must still comply with other EEOC protections.
Background Check Services
We run background checks 100% online. Fast, reliable, and built for the Education and Schools industry. No scheduling, no delays. Just results.
Occupational Health Incidents in Schools
Occupational health testing in educational settings can help prevent the spread of infectious diseases among students and staff. The following real-world incidents recently made headlines:
-
In December 2024, a tuberculosis case at South Gwinnett High School in Georgia led to testing for about 150 students and staff.
-
That same month, a staff member at Hitchcock High School in Texas was diagnosed with active tuberculosis, and screenings were conducted for potential exposures.
-
In February 2025, a student employee at the University of Wisconsin-Madison tested positive for hepatitis A, prompting notifications and screenings for nearly 4,000 people. Vaccination policies and routine health assessments are key tools in these cases.
-
In October 2024, possible tuberculosis exposure at Walton High School in Georgia resulted in testing for around 300 students and staff.
Occupational Health Services
We keep occupational health moving. Quick access, clear communication, and compliance-ready services for the Education and Schools industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What background checks are done for teachers?
Teacher background checks typically include a comprehensive review of an applicant's history and credentials. This may include:
-
Federal and state criminal record checks
-
Sex offender registry checks (national and state)
-
Reference checks (contacting former employers or personal references)
-
Verification of educational history and employment history
-
Teacher certification verification (ensuring valid teaching licenses)
Do universities do background checks on professors?
University background check requirements vary by state and institution. In some states, background checks for professors (and other college staff) are legally required. Even where not mandated by law, most colleges and universities still perform background screenings on applicants or new hires as a best practice. Higher education institutions recognize that vetting professors for criminal history, credentials, and references is important for campus safety and maintaining trust in the faculty.
Do teachers get drug tested when hired?
Urine drug testing for teachers is not universally required, but it's common depending on local regulations and school policies. Many public school districts require pre-employment drug screening for teachers as part of state or county mandates, meaning new hires must pass a drug test before beginning work.
Private schools and universities typically set their own drug-free workplace policies, so they may also require a drug test during hiring processes. Additionally, teachers (in both public and private schools) could be subject to further testing after hire, such as random tests or reasonable suspicion drug tests, if their employer's policy includes it.
What kind of drug test do schools use for employment?
Schools typically use urine drug tests for school employees, as they're cost-effective and detect a wide range of substances. Some districts may also use hair follicle tests for more extended detection. For safety-sensitive roles like bus drivers, DOT drug testing is required.
Why Health Street
No matter what type of education background check you're looking for, our platform streamlines the process. Education employers can hire confidently and better avoid the liabilities of hiring unvetted staff. Health Street helps schools save time on employee onboarding and improve safety for faculty and students.
Citations
-
Atlanta News First Staff. (2024, December 13). Tuberculosis case reported at South Gwinnett High School. Atlanta News First. https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2024/12/13/tuberculosis-case-reported-south-gwinnett-high-school/
-
Barada Associates. (n.d.). Guide to higher education background checks on staff & high profile positions. https://baradainc.com/higher-education-background-checks/
-
Bouchrika, I. (2025, April 7). 40 student crime statistics: 2025 data, analysis & predictions. Research.com. https://research.com/education/student-crime-statistics
-
Eldridge, E. (2024, October 30). Public health officials return to Walton High School to read TB test results. Georgia Public Broadcasting. https://www.gpb.org/news/2024/10/30/public-health-officials-return-walton-high-school-read-tb-test-results
-
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. (n.d.). Must school bus drivers be pre-employment tested after they return? U.S. Department of Transportation. https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/drug-alcohol-testing/must-school-bus-drivers-be-pre-employment-tested-after-they-return
-
Federal Trade Commission. (n.d.). Fair Credit Reporting Act. https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/statutes/fair-credit-reporting-act
-
Hefner, J. (2024, December 20). Health notice: Tuberculosis case at Hitchcock High School. Hitchcock Independent School District. https://www.hitchcockisd.org/departments/communications/news-announcements/full-article/~board/news/post/health-notice-tuberculosis-case-at-hitchcock-high-school
-
Holland, R., & Batten, J. (2017, October 20). FCRA 101: How to avoid risky background checks. Society for Human Resource Management. https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/talent-acquisition/fcra-101-how-to-avoid-risky-background-checks
-
iResearchNet. (n.d.). Teacher-perpetrated crime and violence in high school. http://criminal-justice.iresearchnet.com/crime/school-violence/teacher-perpetrated-crime-and-violence-in-high-school/
-
Mathewson, K. (2024, November 19). Fired Special Education Teacher Charged With Possession of Cocaine, Paraphernalia On School Grounds. Kenosha County Eye. https://kenoshacountyeye.com/2024/11/19/fired-special-education-teacher-charged-with-possession-of-cocaine-paraphernalia-on-school-grounds/
-
Miller, J. (2025, January 28). Kimberly Coates: A Case Study of Alcoholism Among Teachers. Cornerstone Healing Center. https://www.cornerstonehealingcenter.com/resource/kimberly-coates-alcoholism-among-teachers/
-
National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification. (n.d.). NASDTEC clearinghouse: Frequently asked questions. NASDTEC. https://www.nasdtec.net/page/Clearinghouse_FAQ
-
National Safety Council. (n.d.). Substance use disorders by occupation. https://www.nsc.org/getmedia/9dc908e1-041a-41c5-a607-c4cef2390973/substance-use-disorders-by-occupation.pdf
-
Neath, A. (2024, May 20). Second-grade teacher arrested for keeping drugs in classroom and being high on school property. The Independent. https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/teacher-arrested-drugs-classroom-virginia-b2550615.html
-
Redwine, K. (2025, February 11). Potential hepatitis A exposure at University of Wisconsin-Madison: Employee at Rheta's Market tests positive for hepatitis A. Food Poisoning News. https://www.foodpoisoningnews.com/potential-hepatitis-a-exposure-at-university-of-wisconsin-madison-employee-at-rhetas-market-tests-positive-for-hepatitis-a/
-
Top Education Degrees. (n.d.). What kind of background checks do I need to work in a school? https://www.topeducationdegrees.org/faq/what-kind-of-background-checks-do-i-need-to-work-in-a-school/
-
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (n.d.). Employees & applicants. https://www.eeoc.gov/employees
-
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (n.d.). Pre-employment inquiries and religious affiliation or beliefs. https://www.eeoc.gov/pre-employment-inquiries-and-religious-affiliation-or-beliefs
-
Wright, Z. (2024, December 18). Report: San Antonio teacher arrested after dropping meth at school. MySanAntonio. https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/special-education-teacher-nisd-arrested-19986471.php