The Texas is proposing changes to the “Texas Educators Ethics Codes,” ones that should be common sense but apparently need to be written on a piece of paper for educators to understand. The changes are regarding a recent phenomenon, social media. The changes are being implemented to prevent communication from teachers to students by texting, blogging, or using social networking sites such as facebook or myspace. It is unfortunate that teachers don’t understand the inappropriateness of communicating this way with students, or maybe they do but just don’t take the consequences seriously. Under the new provision, educators are prevented from communicating with students or any minor by means such as texting, email, instant messaging, blogging, or other social networking communications. Factors that will be taken in to consideration are 1) the nature, timing, and amount of communication that occurred, 2) the subject and content of the communication, 3) whether the communication was being made openly or in secrecy, 4) whether there are obvious signs of sexual or romantic gestures, 5) whether the communication was sexually explicit, and 6) whether the communication involved talk of physical attractiveness or sexual history between student and teacher.
Currently, a school district employee can be charged with a second degree felony if they engage in sexual contact with a student who is not their spouse, however, it is undecided what the punishment will be if there is communication electronically. I think that the new ethic code is a good idea, that way there can be no misunderstanding as to what is right and wrong when taking into consideration student and teacher relationships. Now that technology is readily available, these type of laws need to be adjusted to keep up with the changes in society. The Government must be strict and enforce the laws to protect the children and improve education.
No comments:
Post a Comment