Jackson Free Press

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A new Mississippi ethics policy for teachers raises questions about student-teacher relationships in the digital age. The policy prevents teachers from directly communicating with students through social media websites and text messaging.

In 1998, the Mississippi Department of Education enacted an educator code of ethics and standards of conduct policy. This year, the state Legislature approved changes to the code to reflect changes in technology and the use of social media. A 20-member legislative task force updated the policy's guidelines for professional conduct, unlawful acts, and teacher-student relationships. If teachers do not adhere to the code, they could be terminated or suspended.

Rep. Brandon Jones, D-Pascagoula, said he supports the new requirements. His district has seen an increase in student and teachers engaging in sexual relationships, and he said modern technology makes it easier for inappropriate relationships to form.

For example, in April, police arrested Ocean Springs Middle School teacher Grady Brown, 33, for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old.

"I'm glad that we are revisiting the code because it reminds teachers of their responsibility and some of the pitfalls of using social media and other outlets to communicate with students," Jones said.

At a time when teachers compete with technology to reach their students, it's not uncommon for them to use social networking websites to engage their students. Jackson Parents for Public Schools Executive Director Susan Womack said she knows teachers who create pages on Facebook for afterschool clubs and send updates to members.

She says the code leaves some ambiguity about what is permissible.

"I hope it does not prohibit creative use of technology as an efficient and practical communication tool," Womack said in a statement. "It would be a shame to have the actions of a minority of irresponsible adults and students serve as a barrier for the majority of adults and students who do you use technology responsibility."

Mississippi Department of Education spokesman Pete Smith said the policy is meant to give school districts an outline of what is ethical and what is unethical. Local school districts have the authority to enact their own detailed policies on social media use, and many already have.

A coach who sends out a mass text message to his team to let them know that practice is canceled, for example, would not violate the policy, Smith said.

"That's not anything that's unethical or sexual in nature," Smith said. "In that case, it's clearly being used as a communication device."

Jackson Public Schools' "Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy" addresses student and teacher use of the district's network, but does not specifically address relationships between students and teachers.

Michelle Mangum, whose four children attend Jackson Public Schools, said she supports tighter restrictions monitoring student and teacher communication.  

"As far as the teacher and student goes, I just don't think that after hours, or anytime, that teachers should have access to student's Facebook page or cell phone or that private information should be transpired between students and teachers," she said.

Previous Comments

ID

163948

Comment

I am going to have to agree with Director Womack. Restricting avenues of communication and educational engagement is disturbing. I realize the goal is good - to prevent unethical or sexual relationships between student and teacher - however, it would seem that it would also hinder mentoring, tutoring and other beneficial activities.

Author

BobbyKearan

Date

2011-06-30T09:07:15-06:00

ID

163972

Comment

Ditto. The policy should not be so restrictive that it prevents beneficial uses of social media. One teacher used her Facebook page to communicate lesson plans, and explain problems to her students while she was on maternity leave. This was critical because this was an advanced placement class, and the substitute was merely a babysitter. I thought that was a creative use of facebook. Let's face it, social media does not make access to kids easier. This might be an over-reaction to an age old problem.

Author

833WMaple

Date

2011-07-05T07:43:39-06:00