The school's main function is education, but factors that interfere with learning are of major concern to the school. The school and its personnel are in a strategic position to observe and detect abuse and its manifestations in children and youth. The overt symptoms of abuse and neglect are usually readily observed. The classroom provides an excellent opportunity for the teacher and other school personnel to observe and interact closely with the student and note both obvious and subtle indicators of abuse. School personnel should consider both social factors related to child abuse, the specific characteristics of abusive families, and the behavioral and physical indicators of child abuse. The decision to file an abuse report can be difficult, but reporting is a legal and moral mandate. The school and its personnel must remain involved after filing the report to assist the child protection agency and support the child and family. The school also has an important role in the primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of child abuse. 11 references