Sexual misconduct plagues U.S. schools

[Ceicei]

It appears that sexual misconduct is more common than originally thought in the American school system. (CNN article linked)

Any suggestions or solutions how to rein in or control this problem?

- Ceicei

 

[MJS]

Whats sad is that in many cases, people wait, most likely out of fear, to report things like this. Right in the first paragraph, one person wiated 40 yrs!! I'm sure this could be the result of the accused telling the child not to say anything, maybe telling them that if they do, something bad will happen to their parents, etc.

I'm sure background checks are conducted, but perhaps a more lengthy investigation may be in order before someone becomes a teacher. Of course, parents telling their kids whats proper and not proper touching and to not be afraid to talk to them would be a start.

 

[michaeledward]

While every incident should be abhorent, I think this article may be a bit of sensationalism.

The article tells us there are three million teachers, and five hundred disciplined incidents a year. That seems like an awfully small fraction.

Also, this article is presenting only one side of the event. My memory of high school is that some of the female students in the music department spent an awful lot of time behaving in a inappropriate manner toward our music teachers. One of those music teachers left the school the year after I graduated. There were rumors about inappropriate relationship between the teacher and a student. If those rumors were true, I believe the student is at least partially at fault.

In general, I think this article is just more symptomatic of our society as a whole. There is way too much sexuality in everything in our society. How does that phrase go ... 'tilting at windmills'.

 

[Kacey]

Whats sad is that in many cases, people wait, most likely out of fear, to report things like this. Right in the first paragraph, one person wiated 40 yrs!! I'm sure this could be the result of the accused telling the child not to say anything, maybe telling them that if they do, something bad will happen to their parents, etc.

This is quite similar to what happened in the Church - this is the truly heinous part of "abuse by a person in a position of trust". 40 years ago, abuse was viewed quite differently (not that that's an excuse - but it does feed into the explanation), and victims were often blamed "for encouraging it", ostracized for reporting it, and considered "ruined" (girls) or "queer" (boys - who, in many ways, had it worse than girls)... except, of course, for those Mrs. Robinson-type occurrences, in which the boy was considered lucky. If there's one thing the Church debacle did, it made it easier for people to talk about abuse of all types - which, ultimately, is the only real way to get rid of it.

And then, too, there is the other side, delineated in this article from this month's National Education Association Journal, which discusses what happens to teachers who are wrongfully accused - even when they are exonerated.

I'm sure background checks are conducted, but perhaps a more lengthy investigation may be in order before someone becomes a teacher.

When I first applied for my teaching license 14 years ago, I went to a police department, was fingerprinted, an FBI search was performed on my prints, locally (in Colorado, where I applied) as well nationally - the same thing is done for every person who is hired by a school district - a procedure which public school employees must pay for themselves. One disturbing chink in the system for new hires is that your certification generally comes through before the national search is completed; another is that unless you move to another state (certified personnel - teachers, administrators, social workers, etc. - those who are licensed) or another district (classified personnel - clerks, secretaries, aides, etc.) another fingerprint check is not done. Certified personnel must apply for license renewal every 5 years, and must provide proof of any required continuing education - but if another fingerprint search is done, I'm not aware of it.

New hires are required to provide references, which are (presumably) checked before the person is hired - but that's at the discretion of the person doing the hiring. In addition, as the CNN article mentioned, if an educator is allowed to quit rather than be fired, direct reference to the event may not occur - among other concerns, if the person was not charged, then any information about the offense is hearsay, and can be treated as slander, a problem that is endemic elsewhere as well - but more problematic in any career field in which adults work with children.

Of course, parents telling their kids whats proper and not proper touching and to not be afraid to talk to them would be a start.

That is an excellent point, and it is where many discussions should start - but like too many other points covered in other threads, the schools are teaching this as well, if anyone is teaching such information to many children and teens - and it is those children and teens who are not receiving such instruction who are most at risk.

As a teacher myself, I am horrified that any adult - and particularly any education professional - would do such a thing. It's one of many reasons why I strive to create an environment in which my students feel safe to discuss their concerns with me - and I'm sorry to say that several have told me of abuse occurring at home, which was then reported and investigated... after which the students in question generally blamed me for the distress, and often breakup, that this cause to the family.

Does abuse of children by educational professionals happen? Yes. Is it heinous? Definitely. Is it a major concern? In the sense that it is heinous, definitely; in the sense that it is statistically rare compared to other concerns facing teens and children, not so much as parental abuse/neglect as well as abuse by other predators, inequities in education between schools and communities, lack of healthcare, drug and alcohol use, pregnancy and STDs... I could go on, but you get the point.

 

[Empty Hands]

Great. I would bet this results in more paranoia by parents, more invasive and unwarranted interference in the personal lives of teachers, and yet another barrier for entry to teachers, particularly male teachers of the young who are already woefully underrepresented. I wish we humans could tighten up procedures without getting hysterical about it.

Teachers already can have bizarre and burdensome restrictions placed upon their private lives. This is one of the few professions that have "morality clauses" whereby things like posting bikini pics of yourself on myspace or going to a strip club can get you fired. What those things have to do with teaching is beyond me.

 

[Cryozombie]

While every incident should be abhorent, I think this article may be a bit of sensationalism.

Also, this article is presenting only one side of the event. My memory of high school is that some of the female students in the music department spent an awful lot of time behaving in a inappropriate manner toward our music teachers. One of those music teachers left the school the year after I graduated. There were rumors about inappropriate relationship between the teacher and a student. If those rumors were true, I believe the student is at least partially at fault.

You know, I just had a similar conversation with someone, and said that in some cases the kids are really to blame. They argue (and convincingly, IMO if you hear their whole argument) *paraphrase* it doesnt matter how inappropriate the kid acts its the adults responsibility to act in a mature, responsible manner.

But, adults are people too... so what do you expect when 16 year old sally is sitting in class in a skirt with no panties flashing her goodies at 24 year old "Mr." Jones? Obviously we expect "Mr." Jones to send her to the office, but he's only human, and capable of bad judgement, right? *shrug* I dunno.

What I do think is problematic is that we are so reactionary because of things like this that kids have the automatic benefit of the doubt, and know better. I know a guy that told some teenage girl who was babbling on her cellphone in a movie theater to "Shut the hell up" and wound up in serious trouble because she went out and called the cops and said some pervert was trying to molest her in the theater... I also know a mom who spanked her young daughter (for punching a boy in the face, breaking his nose and taking his candybar) and the daughter called 911 and guess who showed up with DCFS because in school she was taught that if your mom or dad ever hit you you need to call the police...

I think all of that is symptomatic of the fear these type of incidents and articles stir up.

 

[Sukerkin]

I was going to launch into something of a soapbox rant on this but, happily, sounder mental counsel prevailed and all that I shall say is in the form of the following question.

Which do we think will be the more likely outcome of ever more stringent and presumptive of guilt legislation for teachers in mixed sex schools:

i) That those individuals with an inflammed lust for people young enough to be their children will take the time to become qualified, get a job and prey on their students all unbeknownst to everyone.

ii) That the already overly protected youth will opportunistically latch on to such legislation as yet another way to dominate and punish those teachers they do not like.

My opinion is clear from my phrasing I'm sure but this sort of media-mob-legislating really hits a nerve.

 

[Cryozombie]

ii) That the already overly protected youth will opportunistically latch on to such legislation as yet another way to dominate and punish those teachers they do not like.

Heh... I think thats part of what I touched on in my above post, but you said it much more concicely than I did.

 

[Tez3]

You know, I just had a similar conversation with someone, and said that in some cases the kids are really to blame. They argue (and convincingly, IMO if you hear their whole argument) *paraphrase* it doesnt matter how inappropriate the kid acts its the adults responsibility to act in a mature, responsible manner.

But, adults are people too... so what do you expect when 16 year old sally is sitting in class in a skirt with no panties flashing her goodies at 24 year old "Mr." Jones? Obviously we expect "Mr." Jones to send her to the office, but he's only human, and capable of bad judgement, right? *shrug* I dunno.

What I do think is problematic is that we are so reactionary because of things like this that kids have the automatic benefit of the doubt, and know better. I know a guy that told some teenage girl who was babbling on her cellphone in a movie theater to "Shut the hell up" and wound up in serious trouble because she went out and called the cops and said some pervert was trying to molest her in the theater... I also know a mom who spanked her young daughter (for punching a boy in the face, breaking his nose and taking his candybar) and the daughter called 911 and guess who showed up with DCFS because in school she was taught that if your mom or dad ever hit you you need to call the police...

I think all of that is symptomatic of the fear these type of incidents and articles stir up.

This always makes me smile wryly, so the mother was teaching her daughter not to hit people by hitting her? Yeah, that works!

 

[Cryozombie]

This always makes me smile wryly, so the mother was teaching her daughter not to hit people by hitting her? Yeah, that works!

Well, yes, theres always the argument for or against spanking, but, having been disciplined that way growing up, I can say 2 things... 1) IMO, an empty, open handed swat on the butt isnt really abuse, and 2) I sure as hell learned how not to get caught fast.

 

[Tez3]

Well, yes, theres always the argument for or against spanking, but, having been disciplined that way growing up, I can say 2 things... 1) IMO, an empty, open handed swat on the butt isnt really abuse, and 2) I sure as hell learned how not to get caught fast.

Nothing to do with abuse or whether people should smack or not, it's the irony of teaching people not to do something by doing that thing to them.

Over here children can stay at school until they are 18, which is two years over the age of consent. The teachers of these 18 year olds can be only three or four years older than them. The lines can get blurred quite easily in these cases.

 

[tellner]

The first questions about this sort of thing are

1. Is it true?
2. If it is, is it a real increase?
3. Is it an increase in reporting?
4. Is it an increase in the shrillness of reporting?

This reminds me way too much of the Reagan era "Satanic Panic". For a number of sociological reasons that we don't need to get into there was a huge wave or Satanic ritual sexual abuse at schools, day care centers, churches and in the home. Law enforcement had special seminars, mostly put on by Church experts. Arrests were made. Cases were prosecuted. Parents were warned. Therapists uncovered memories. Multigenerational cults were exposed.

The only problem is that it was nonsense. The big-profile cases all disappeared. Many were sent to jail only to have convictions set aside. The recovered memory industry and the cult-cop lecture circuit dried pretty much dried up.

We live in an age where we are ruled by fear. Our current Administration keeps us biddable through a constant state of agitation bordering on panic with "The Terrorists". Economic security is eroding for all but the richest, and even they are feeling nervous with the newly exposed structural weaknesses in the economy. In such times it is common for people to start looking for things to be afraid of in places previously thought to be safe. Schools are a common one. That's why though school shootings are incredibly rare and statistically insignificant we have "zero tolerance" policies that result in high school students being expelled for accidentally bringing butter knives and losing them in their lockers or girls having Motrin.

I would like to see something a bit less sensational with more factual evidence and some indication as to why the authors think this is more common than in past decades and not just more sensationally reported.

 

[Gordon Nore]

I think it's a pretty lousy article on an important topic. It's got hooks...

A middle school teacher in Pennsylvania targets a young girl in his class and uses the guise of love to abuse her sexually.
A teacher in Michigan, who'd already lost his license in another state, goes to prison after he films himself molesting a boy.


These are only a few instances of a widespread problem in American schools: Sexual misconduct by the very teachers who are supposed to be nurturing the nation's children.
...An Associated Press investigation found more than 2,500 cases over five years in which educators were punished for actions from bizarre to sadistic.

But I don't quite see the epidemic proportions the article alleges...

There are 3 million public school teachers nationwide, most devoted to their work. Yet the number of abusive educators, nearly three for every school day, speaks to a much larger problem in a system that is stacked against victims.
...
The seven-month investigation found 2,570 educators whose teaching credentials were revoked, denied, voluntarily surrendered or limited from 2001 through 2005 following allegations of sexual misconduct.

This is terrifying for the victims and their schools, but I think we might actually be reaping rewards of putting these stories out in the public. One of the regular features of my professional news letter that comes from the governing body of teachers in Ontario is the publication of teacher's names who have been found guilty of professional misconduct, and who face action for the same. It's all out there for everyone to see.

Hopefully, that will provide the impetus to continue to educate children about the sexual rights and to encourage my profession to exercise caution in their interactions with students. In my case, I do not exchange email with students, or allow them to add me to their online friends, or any of that. By maintaining a professional distance -- and keeping my personal and professional lives separate -- I am protecting myself for unwarranted allegations. A lot of these cases I read, I get the distinct impression that some teachers show really bad judgment and set themselves up for a fall.

 

[Makalakumu]

Let me be the first "liberal" to say that I am skeptical of this in the same way I was skeptical of the catholic church scandals. Our government has its enemies this is a convenient way to smear them. I guess the old adage is coming true now...I wasn't a catholic, so I did nothing, now I'm a teacher...

Shame on me.

 

[tellner]

Let me be the first "liberal" to say that I am skeptical of this in the same way I was skeptical of the catholic church scandals. Our government has its enemies this is a convenient way to smear them. I guess the old adage is coming true now...I wasn't a catholic, so I did nothing, now I'm a teacher...

Umm, the only reason I'm not a liberal is that today's liberals appease the Right and are ineffectual. Progressive, Communitarian, borderline Socialist in the older sense, but not a liberal.

The difference between this and the Catholic Church pedophilia scandal, not to mention the even bigger sexual abuse of female church-worker and nun scandal, is that the Catholic one is well-documented. The number of cases that has gone to trial and the number of cases where the Church has done anything to avoid trial (especially to avoid discovery), the written policies from the Vatican dictating how to cover up the crime and so on are pretty darned irrefutable.

I'm probably even more sensitive to government abuses of power than you are, and definitely more paranoid. The school one pushes my skepticism buttons. The Catholic one just has me going "Yep. Sucks to be the Church these days."

 

[Makalakumu]

It didn't start that way, Tellner. It started as rumors and the rumors turned up some pretty icky stuff. The same is possible in this situation, especially when you consider all of the policies that exist that protect bad teachers.