On top of the state legislature's decimation of tenure and bargaining rights for teachers last year, the Tennessee State Board of Education is trying to do its part to demonize and demoralize public educators as well.
The State Board of Education is the governing and policy-making body for Tennessee's elementary and secondary education system. It promulgates rules and regulations concerning, among other things, class size, length of the school day, curriculum standards and graduation requirements. In addition, the State Board issues that most important of documents for an educator, the teaching license. Of course, the State Board also has procedures in place for denying, revoking or suspending an educator's teaching license, with the reasons for such actions enumerated as follows:
0520-2-4-.01(9)(b) - Denial, Suspension or Revocation of License. The State Board of Education may revoke, suspend or refuse to issue or renew a license for the following reasons:
1. Conviction of a felony,
2. Conviction of possession of narcotics,
3. Being on school premises or at a school-related activity involving students while documented as being under the influence of, possessing or consuming alcohol or illegal drugs,
4. Falsification or alteration of a license or documentation required for licensure,
5. Denial, suspension or revocation of a license or certificate in another jurisdiction for reasons which would justify denial, suspension or revocation under this rule, or
6. Other good cause. Other good cause shall be construed to include
noncompliance with security guidelines for TCAP or successor tests pursuant toT.C.A. § 49-1-607, default on a student loan pursuant to T.C.A. § 49-5-108(d)(2) or failure to report under part (e).
These are all valid reasons to take action against an educator's teaching license. The overwhelming majority of educators are proud to uphold the standards of their communities and their profession. Those who fail to uphold those standards are given the opportunity to defend themselves before the State Board before any final action is taken.
But today, the State Board is conducting a final reading of a new policy, which may be adopted by the body. That policy reads as follows:
Pursuant to State Board of Education Rule 0520-2-4-.01(9)(b) the State Board of Education may revoke, suspend or refuse to issue or renew a license for several reasons listed in the rule. Currently under the policy, there is no option for the State Board to issue a public reprimand for a license holder who engages in conduct which may not rise to the level of a suspension, but should be discouraged nonetheless. Amending the policy to include public reprimand as an option would ensure that those instances of misconduct are not only recorded with the State Board of Education, but are also reported to the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Clearinghouse. (emphasis mine)
A public reprimand?
One has to wonder why, if the conduct does not rise to the level warranting a suspension, it would become necessary to issue a public reprimand to a teacher. And nowhere in this proposed new rule is such conduct even defined. Would it be limited solely to conduct which occurs in the course of a teacher's educational duties? Or would a teacher's private life become fair game? (Does anyone really believe that it wouldn't?) Would a parent, a student, or even an ex-spouse with an axe to grind be able to sabotage a teacher's career?
What's next, the scarlet letter, the pillory and the stocks?
But here is the worst part. Although the public reprimand would be added to the list of options for actions taken against an educator's teaching license, the public reprimand would not be added to the list of actions for which due process is available. In other words, if a teacher is issued a public reprimand, his or her license is "flagged", which amounts to a de facto suspension with no opportunity for a hearing before the State Board to challenge the action. The new rule also contains no language concerning how long a public reprimand would be attached to an educator's teaching license. I don't think I have to tell you that this would effectively take away an educator's ability to practice his or her profession, possibly indefinitely.
There are other professions that have ethics panels and professional standards boards to monitor the conduct of practitioners. But those bodies are concerned solely with professional conduct, and there is always an opportunity to appeal any type of censure or sanction. One wonders why it is only teachers who are being held to such a rigid (and yet woefully undefined) code of conduct.
I predict that all public employees will eventually be subject to this kind of scrutiny because, after all, it's our tax dollars paying these people, and they need to be answerable for everything they do! And certainly, this trend is becoming obvious with private employers as well. Random, suspici0nless drug testing, anyone? (Of course, this only applies to the "little guys", never to the people at the top.)
I know that this proposed rule may seem like a bit of minutia to the casual observer. But I believe it is a symptom of a much larger problem. It is regrettable that we are becoming such a vindictive and punitive society. Judgment seems to be our favorite pastime - and teachers seem to be bearing the brunt of it.
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Ted Frier
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Comments
I start a new p.t. job myself tomorrow, and it involves driving. No drug tests which isn't a worry, except my aim isn't what it used to be.
Stand back is my best advice.
The thing about all this that galls me, is that nobody goes into education because they want to ride down easy street on a gravy train. They love teaching, young people, and the opportunity to pass on the knowledge that someone once passed to them. If these issues are of such concern, why are they not being applied likewise to corporate positions, financial industry execs, and others who truly are riding the gravy train, and apparently don't give a hoot for young people or giving back?!
The asshats of Govt, our tax dollars at work again!
(Some of my teachers would soooooo have not been allowed to teach under those rules, and they were good teachers!!!!)
And loved Paul Fornale's comment, too.
Paul, wouldn't that be a kick! We've had plenty of lawmakers arrested for DUI and other things that would certainly warrant a public reprimand.
beauty1947, thank you so much for your comment. You have been "in the trenches", so to speak, and I admire your commitment to your colleagues and your profession. You have explained very well why qualified people are leaving the profession.
Erica, I don't who these people are who think teachers are so all-powerful. Obviously, they haven't ever been in a classroom.
aka, yes, the Facebook thing will definitely be a problem when the morality police are on patrol. Seems like teachers are being held to a standard not too many of us could meet. (And good luck with your new job!)
nanatehay, everything I've seen leaves me with no doubt that that is the end game. Public education and teachers are being attacked from every possible angle. I don't know how much longer it can hold out.
greenheron, of course. No one goes into teaching for the glamour and the high pay. Honestly, it's a wonder we can anyone at all to take on the responsibility. That we still can speaks to the dedication of these people and their love for teaching, learning and students.
Min, thank you. I appreciate talking with you earlier today about this and for your clarification of some of the issues. I hate that we are so quick to judge and condemn. You're right, it is infecting everything.
tai, I wish that this was a joke. You just can't even make this stuff up, it's so ridiculous.
Tinkertink, I'll have to check and see if that's going to be added to the list! And you're right, there have been and are brilliant teachers who couldn't meet these standards. But no one seems to be worried about what we might lose.
ndrezteacher, nice to meet you, and thank you for commenting. What you say is disheartening, but I know it's true. The scapegoating of teachers these last few years is nothing short of mind-boggling. But, since teachers are one of the last unions standing in this country, it's not surprising.
Steve, I must admit that the thing about defaulting on a student loan gave me pause. I think it certainly deserves a second look, with the economy the way it is. (But I won't hold my breath that the SBE will actually try to make it easier on teachers anytime soon.) And you are definitely correct in observing that this is a backdoor attack on tenure. Because even with tenure, with a flag on your license, you are not allowed to teach.
To all teachers who have read and commented, you have my admiration and my thanks for what you do.
Bingo, Dr. Bramhall. The past several decades have seen an ever-increasing funneling of public money into private hands. There is a pretty huge transfer of wealth going on.
As you know, I've been working for a charter now for awhile. It's been eye-opening. The owner is a freaking millionaire. The school claims to give huge incentive bonuses, but I quickly discovered that they're not based on good teaching practices, which all too often are not quantifiable, but on stupid call-center quotas, retention of students, and pass ratios. Trust me--parents will eventually see that they've been sold a terrible bill of goods.
PS - Found out this week that to be a sub teacher in ND, one now only needs 4 credit hours of Ed training. WTH???? We our school sits now on the rez, we are dragging old ladies out of retirement to sub for us.... ladies who haven't been in a classroom in years! Bless their hearts for stepping up, but holy hannah the kids today are eating these women alive......
How many things will be deemed 'other cause' .. It seems like it's an open clause for anything.
HUGGGGGGGGG
teachers are being scapegoated for systemic educational problems. like the disparity of educational opportunities between children caught on different sides of the growing wealth gap....etc.
thanks for writing this, jeanette.
"It is regrettable that we are becoming such a vindictive and punitive society. Judgment seems to be our favorite pastime - and teachers seem to be bearing the brunt of it."
Yes, the punitiveness is a problem....
You wrote: "Judgment seems to be our favorite pastime - and teachers seem to be bearing the brunt of it." That is what happened to the intellectuals during Ayatollah Houmani's regime. They were all judged, prisoned, and quietly eliminated. Perhaps a far stretch, but the inevitable outcome, nevertheless.
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Snippy, I'm glad you commented here, because I know you are in the trenches. I apologize on behalf of my state for insulting teachers this way. And you are absolutely right about so many charter schools. I believe that parents will eventually see through the scam.
ndrezteacher, another terrific comment. I am glad that so many educators are stepping up here, telling it like it really is.
I Love Life, yes, now you're getting with the program! Teachers are responsible for everything that is wrong with the world today. It's so obvious.
Linda, "other cause" leaves the door wide open for sure. I thought about being a teacher at one time. Thankfully, I didn't pursue it. I don't think I could handle what's happening now.
deloresflores, very perceptive comment. I don't know why people have such a hard time believing that there really are things beyond a teacher's control. These are the systemic problems you touch on.
Fusun, interesting observation. You're right that, in any society that is repressive or moving in that direction, educators are targeted, and education for all is dismantled. It's not very had to connect the dots here.
Donegal, thanks for highlighting the situation with counselors. Professionals who work with children and/or those with emotional issues do indeed need strong advocacy groups and always, always the opportunity to defend themselves. That's a basic human right.
Alysa, I think you would have made a marvelous teacher, but I also don't like to think about someone like you having the spirit pounded out of them by what's happening public education. You're right that people don't give much real thought to the situation (unless they've got a teacher in their family).
Algis, maybe we will really have a "teachable moment" out of all this. I just hope it happens before it's too late. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Tiffany, thanks so much. I've noticed that you have managed to read the blogs of people who have commented on yours, and that's a really nice thing to do. You're right, who will want to teach if things continue on this way?
I think people are finally starting to wake up on the value of unions. It's about time!
Kathy, try as I might, I still can't figure out why it's teachers who are being so relentlessly attacked. I think there are some very powerful people who know how to misdirect and deflect the very real anger that is being felt right now. As for unions, I don't see a lot of hope, at least until the pendulum has swung as far right as it can go.