text: teacher abuse...? my bad for the last question. i guess it didn't go through. anyways. a friend of mine's son was hit (backhanded) by a teacher last week. what can be done about that and whats the max that can happen to a teacher who does that? this is what normally happens.  first, the principal must be notified.  the principal is required to notify the district office and the department of education.  the principal will take statements from the student, the teacher and any witnesses.  those findings are reported back to the district office and the department of ed.  depending on those findings, the teacher can be placed on adminstrative leave while the department of ed investigates.  the deaprtment of ed can either let the teacher keep their job or can revoke the teacher's certificate.  criminal charges may also be filed, but that's a whole different deal.  once the department of ed makes a decision, that's the end.