Nearly half of the 289 teacher license revocations and suspensions in North Carolina over the past decade were for sexual misconduct, the Wilmington Star-News reported Saturday. A database made public by the North Carolina Board of Education details teachers in the state whose licenses to teach were surrendered, suspended, denied or revoked in the past decade and the reason. But the problem may be worse than as indicated by the database, which only includes people who were caught. Currently, the state does not require background checks for teacher's license applicants. The state board of licensure relies on self-reporting - just two questions that trust the applicant to be honest about past suspensions and convictions. It's only when a would-be teacher applies to work in a local school district that a background check requirement kicks in.
But experts say those checks don't always catch teachers who resigned from their last school under a cloud. They note that past employers are often wary of passing on negative information for fear of a defamation lawsuit. Experts also say the myriad behaviors that lead up to molestation aren't currently covered by rules requiring schools to report sexual misconduct by teachers. Those behaviors, such as frequent or inappropriate text messaging, are difficult to police but are important to report. Repeat offenders usually have a host of subtle techniques that build over a long period of time. Reporting those behaviors is a way to cut off improper relationships before they become damaging. Another problem, according to experts, is that administrators do not disclose inconclusive investigations out of fear of risking a lawsuit by passing on a false accusation.
A state task force of veteran educators and legal experts has been meeting for more than a year to examine problems with the current licensure system and reporting practices. Their report is not complete, but its recommendations so far include fingerprinting of teachers when they apply for a state license and upping the number of ethics questions on the application from two to 20. It would also increase the standards on reportable offenses to inappropriate interaction of a sexual or romantic nature, instead of just sexual. By requiring that schools report the behaviors that often lead to sexual contact, hopes to discourage teachers from taking any chances. June Atkinson, the state schools superintendent, said Wednesday that she had not yet seen the task force's report, but she supports improving the licensing process while keeping it fair to educators. The final report will be presented to Atkinson later this month.(Chelsea Kellner, WILMINGTON STAR-NEWS, 10/03/09).
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3 comments:
Wow! This article was very interesting. To think there may be teachers in the classrooms today who have been fired due to sexual misconduct with students, sends chills down my spine. Not only do I think they should never be able to teach again, I feel they should be behind bars. As you can tell, I have NO tolerance for this. I also have NO tolerance for teachers having emotional or romantic affairs with other staff members. This type of behavior should also be grounds for dismissal.
I can't wait to read the final report from Mrs. Atkinson. I hope she raises the bar and makes it impossible for people to be employed as educators who have such a history.
It is sad that educators may now have to spend even more money on more detailed background checks/fingerprinting, etc. but sadly it seems as though it is becoming necessary. I have worked with some of the teachers/ employees that are part of that 289 number and frankly, many of them would have passed any of these tests free and clear when originally hired, they just made horrible choices later in life. However, that's not the case with all and as Kelly stated, no matter what the situation is, it's wrong and adults should know better and be held accountable.
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