Legal Guide: Student/Teacher Relationships by Joshua Truitt https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn en-us 2021-10-19 16:42:59 UTC 2021-11-29 15:30:51 UTC hello@padlet.com Topic jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1827882939 I chose to create a legal guide on inappropriate student/teacher relationships because I know that it is a pervasive issue within education. Being a school counselor, I know the how the fallout of these relationships can impact scholars after they end. So, I hope to explore the legality of the issue in hopes of educating my fellow educators. ]]> 2021-10-19 16:51:23 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1827882939 Audience jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1827885988 My intended audience for this legal guide are teachers and other educators at large. It is important for professional relationships to have clear boundaries, so I would like to help make those clearer for staff in my charter school network. ]]> 2021-10-19 16:52:22 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1827885988 Importance jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1827886702 It is extremely important for educators to know the legality behind the relationships they cultivate with their young scholars. Instead of relying on word of mouth or common knowledge, educators must understand what the laws and policies of their school district are (L. Battaglia, personal communication, October 18, 2021). All too often, educators are caught off guard by these kinds of relationships as nobody starts their educational career off with malicious intentions. Boundaries are in place in order to protect the most vulnerable. ]]> 2021-10-19 16:52:37 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1827886702 Best Practices jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1827887140
  • 1. One effective strategy in decreasing these kinds of behaviors are yearly trainings on what is okay and what is not okay. 
  • In order to decrease liability, it is important for schools to inform their staff on what their duties are when it comes to reporting sexual harassment. 
  • Hiring staff can use the "Do Not Hire Registry" in order to look up potential staff members who may have an offense logged. 

    • (L. Battaglia, personal communication, October 18, 2021). 
    ]]>     2021-10-19 16:52:45 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1827887140     Emerging Issue jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1827887899 There is a lot of research being done right now about the impact of teacher's relationships within the classroom. We know that teachers impact the academic success of students every day. But, they are also helping to develop students' social and emotional capacity (L. Battaglia, personal communication, October 18, 2021). Consequently, it is important for educators to understand the research behind the relationships we form with students in order to more deeply understand how we have the power for good or evil depending on our choices each and every day. ]]> 2021-10-19 16:53:00 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1827887899 Interviewee jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1827891434 Lori Battaglia
    Lead Counselor
    Cy-Falls High School
    Cy-Fair ISD]]>     2021-10-19 16:54:03 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1827891434     Reference jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1827979930 National School Boards Association. (2021, October 1). Consequences and prevention. https://www.nsba.org/ASBJ/2021/october/consequences-and-prevention]]> 2021-10-19 17:24:16 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1827979930 Link jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1827980690 https://www.nsba.org/ASBJ/2021/october/consequences-and-prevention]]> 2021-10-19 17:24:32 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1827980690 Summary jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1827991761 This resource is an incredible help for educators to understand how consequences for inappropriate relationships with students can help prevent them from happening. Because teachers had to rely on alternative ways of contacting scholars during the COVID-19 pandemic, the instances of this abuse increased (National School Boards Association, 2021). Consequences such as jail time and revoking of teaching certificates can help curb these inappropriate relationships. ]]> 2021-10-19 17:28:21 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1827991761 Summary jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828006334
  • A district level employee abused a student in their district. 
  • The district was not held liable because the district employee that knew about the abuse was the perpetrator. 
  • It is important to know that other district personnel can cause a school district to be held liable if they know about the abuse and do not report it. 

    • (Walsh, 2020).
    ]]>     2021-10-19 17:33:25 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828006334     Article Link jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828007452 https://www.edweek.org/education/district-not-liable-under-title-ix-for-administrators-relationship-with-student/2020/08]]> 2021-10-19 17:33:50 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828007452 Citation jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828009540 Walsh, M. (2020, August 5). District not liable under title IX for administrator's relationship with student. Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/education/district-not-liable-under-title-ix-for-administrators-relationship-with-student/2020/08]]> 2021-10-19 17:34:36 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828009540 Summary jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828033442
  • A teacher in Texas was charged with having inappropriate relationships with students. 
  • The relationship, like most, began with less severe actions but quickly escalated. 
  • Unlike the other article, this student states that they told the district personnel months prior to the teacher being reprimanded. 

    • (KWTX, 2021).
    ]]>     2021-10-19 17:43:05 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828033442     Link jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828033873 https://www.kwtx.com/2021/10/01/police-arrest-west-isd-employee-accused-communicating-inappropriately-with-student/]]> 2021-10-19 17:43:14 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828033873 Citation jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828034435 KWTX. (2021, October 1). Affidavit: West ISD teacher accused of exposing himself, touching student inappropriately. https://www.kwtx.com/2021/10/01/police-arrest-west-isd-employee-accused-communicating-inappropriately-with-student/]]> 2021-10-19 17:43:27 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828034435 Administrative Federal Law jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828036514 2021-10-19 17:44:13 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828036514 State Statutory Law jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828036850 2021-10-19 17:44:20 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828036850 Judicial Federal Law jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828037277 2021-10-19 17:44:28 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828037277 State Constitutional Law jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828037671 2021-10-19 17:44:35 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828037671 Citation jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828060332 Tex. Penal Code § 21.12 (2003). ]]> 2021-10-19 17:52:15 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828060332 Link jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828061087 https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.21.htm#21.12]]> 2021-10-19 17:52:31 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828061087 Summary jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828061570
  • The student who was abused cannot be disclosed to the media. 
  • The district must report the abuse to TEA and to the school community. 
  • These inappropriate relationships are a 2nd degree felony.
    • ]]>     2021-10-19 17:52:39 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828061570     Link jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828105730 https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CN/htm/CN.7.htm]]> 2021-10-19 18:08:20 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828105730 Citation jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828113892 Tex. Const. art. 7, § 8. ]]> 2021-10-19 18:11:17 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828113892 Summary jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828117211
  • The 7th Article of the Texas Constitution addresses education. 
  • The state sets laws for the Texas Education Agency and local school districts to follow.
    • ]]>     2021-10-19 18:12:32 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828117211     Link jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828147693 https://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/pdf/97-843P.ZS]]> 2021-10-19 18:24:25 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828147693 Citation jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828148264 Davis v. Monroe County Bd. Of Educ., 1999. ]]> 2021-10-19 18:24:37 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828148264 Summary jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828154228
  • The Supreme Court ruled that school districts can be held liable if they are privy to the abuse and do nothing about it. 
  • This abuse involved a 5th grade student.
    • ]]>     2021-10-19 18:26:49 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828154228     Citation jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828158559 29 CFR § 1604.11

    ]]>     2021-10-19 18:28:27 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828158559     Link jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828161740 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1604]]> 2021-10-19 18:29:42 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828161740 Summary jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828165204
  • This portion of the Code of Federal Regulations addresses sexual harassment. 
  • This section defines what warrants sexual harassment, specifically in the workplace.
    • ]]>     2021-10-19 18:31:03 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828165204     Link jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828183264 https://waysideschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Wayside-HR-Handbook-21-22.pdf]]> 2021-10-19 18:38:21 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828183264 Citation jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828185361 Wayside Schools. (2021). HR handbook. https://waysideschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Wayside-HR-Handbook-21-22.pdf]]> 2021-10-19 18:39:14 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828185361 Summary jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828189791 I chose this resource because it is the HR handbook for the charter school where I am the school counselor. It discusses the implications of inappropriate student-teacher relationships. It is never appropriate for any staff member to engage in any level of romantic relationship with a student. We are professionals, and it is our duty, above all, to protect scholars and keep them safe. ]]> 2021-10-19 18:41:06 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828189791 Link jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828194231 https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/f041cbd0-7004-47a5-ba01-3a5d657c6743/Ethical-Standards.pdf]]> 2021-10-19 18:43:03 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828194231 Citation jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828198028 American School Counselor Association. (2016). Ethical standards for school counselors. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/f041cbd0-7004-47a5-ba01-3a5d657c6743/Ethical-Standards.pdf]]> 2021-10-19 18:44:34 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828198028 Summary jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828203239 Section A of the ASCA's Ethical Standards for School Counselors addresses the unethical nature of any kind of inappropriate relationship with a student regardless of consent. This is a really serious infraction and not only unethical, but illegal. ]]> 2021-10-19 18:46:44 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828203239 jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828220098 I believe this is a really important legal topic for educators to be aware of. I know a lot of people who think that it is okay for educators to have relationships with students once they turn 18, but that is simply not the case. If educators are not informed of their ethical responsibilities, then they could face severe consequences. While I have never personally engaged in a nefarious relationship with a student, the principal at my previous school said there has not been a single year where a teacher wasn't fired for having a relationship with a student that was outside of professional bounds. ]]> 2021-10-19 18:53:37 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828220098 jtruitt2 https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828227750
  • 1. One effective strategy in decreasing these kinds of behaviors are yearly trainings on what is okay and what is not okay. 
  • In order to decrease liability, it is important for schools to inform their staff on what their duties are when it comes to reporting sexual harassment. 
  • Hiring staff can use the "Do Not Hire Registry" in order to look up potential staff members who may have an offense logged. 
  • Do not be alone in a room with a student with the door closed. 
  • Do not follow students on social media or give them your cell phone number. 
  • If you are investigated for sexual relations with a student, do not delete any messages between you and the student. 
  • Do not even engage in an inappropriate relationship emotionally with a student. Set really strong boundaries.

    • ]]>     2021-10-19 18:56:44 UTC https://padlet.com/jtruitt2/60eny469hfcof9bn/wish/1828227750