TODAY ALL 50 STATES, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, PUERTO RICO, AND VIRGIN ISLANDS REQUIRE THE REPORTING OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE, AND 37 STATES SPECIFICALLY MANDATE EDUCATORS TO REPORT SUCH SUSPECTED ABUSE. IN EACH OF THESE STATES, THE TEACHER, PRINCIPAL, OR OTHER SCHOOL OFFICIAL MAKING SUCH A REPORT IN GOOD FAITH IS IMMUNE FROM LIABILITY. MOST CHILDREN WHO DIE FROM ABUSE ARE UNDER AGE 5. A REASON FOR THIS IS PROBABLY THAT AFTER THIS AGE, SOCIETY, IN THE FORM OF PRESCHOOLS AND KINDERGARTENS, BECOMES INVOLVED WITH THE CHILD AND CAN INTERVENE IN THE MOST FLAGRANT CASES. HOWEVER, LESS OBVIOUS FORMS OF NEGLECT AND ABUSE OFTEN GO UNREPORTED. TO HELP EDUCATORS UNDERSTAND AND RECOGNIZE CASES OF MORE SUBTLE CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, THE 'ABNORMAL CHILD-REARING CYCLE' LEADING TO ABUSE IS EXPLAINED, AND A CHECKLIST OF CLUES IS PRESENTED. CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF, IT IS NOT THE EDUCATOR'S RESPONSIBILITY TO INVESTIGATE; A REPORT WILL ALERT THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS OF THE NEED TO LOOK INTO THE CASE. UNLESS THE TEACHER ACTUALLY SAW THE CHILD BEING BEATEN, THERE IS NO NEED FOR THE EDUCATOR TO BE CALLED AS A WITNESS. IN SOME CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES, LACK OF STAFF MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO FOLLOW UP REPORTS. IN SUCH CASES, THE SCHOOL CAN ASSIST THE CHILD BY BECOMING AN ADVOCATE AND CONTINUING ITS FOLLOWUP THROUGH THE AGENCY. THE STEPS OF A COMPETENT INVESTIGATION ARE GIVEN IN DETAIL. EDUCATORS ARE URGED TO BE AWARE OF THE FORMS CHILD ABUSE INVESTIGATIONS TAKE IN THEIR OWN AREAS AND TO SECURE COPIES OF THEIR STATE'S REPORTING STATUTES. (GLR)