Student/Teacher Texting and 'Friending' Banned in Mississippi
The district hasn't said exactly what the penalty would be if a student and teacher were caught exchanging digital missives, or exactly what it's trying to prevent beyond limiting "personal communication between teachers and students." Supposedly, there was no specific incident that resulted in this new policy and the school district just being pro-active, so we're left thinking perhaps it's been listening to the Police too much. [Source: CBS News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
hall monitor @ Jul 23rd 2008 9:43PM
Some interesting Pro's and Con's of this story can be found on http://detentionslip.org. The leader for crazy school house news.
Jack @ Jul 23rd 2008 11:32PM
It always seems as though Mississippi imposes the strictest and most insignificant laws in this nation.
Gary Math Professor @ Jul 24th 2008 12:57AM
I have a facebook account and have been invited by several students to become friends. I always decline, and if I see them in school afterwards, and they ask about it, I just tell them I prefer to keep my private and business lives separate. In general, it is a bad idea. However, I know some of my colleagues do it.
Gary NYC
Brooklyn, NY
Stacy @ Jul 24th 2008 2:48AM
I totally agree with this. I'm a substitute teacher, and although I've gotten to know some students in the classroom and will speak to them if I see them outside of school, I definitely don't want to become buddies with them! Plus my private, adult life is none of their business unless I choose to share that information with them. My experience with students, especially at the high school level, is that they can be cruel and downright spiteful, and private information in the wrong hands (i.e. a student you've pissed off or who doesn't like you) is NEVER a good thing. I know some colleagues of mine (full-time teachers I have gotten to know) who are quite chummy with many of their students (texting, emailing, communicating through myspace or facebook), and it's pretty creepy if you ask me. It just seems like poor judgment and like it could lead to a heap of problems. Just better not to open the can of worms.
ipodrulz @ Jul 24th 2008 8:42AM
Im gonna be the first student to post and say this is just stupid... Can you really treat teachers as a different being? What makes a teacher any different from a stranger on the street, or a family friend? I go to a school were teachers and stundents can actually hang out with each other. Outside of school they're just older friends... we have their cell phones, we have them on Facebook, we have their address, but no one has been raped. I think my teachers are just professional enough to understand that different environments require different attitude and behaviours.
Tara Singletary @ Jul 24th 2008 12:34PM
Actually, Stacy makes some very good points. "ipodrulz," a teacher IS different from a stranger on the street, or a family friend, because a teacher holds your future in their hands, assuming you are in high school. A teacher holds the key to your grades, which will determine what college you can get into, which will affect your whole life. Brown-nosers, suck-ups, "pets" and "favorites" are found in both adult and student spheres; the only difference is that for adults, the gain is money, and for students, the gain is a good grade. It's called "conflict of interest."
As for the article bringing up the subject of "listening to the Police too much," you don't need to dredge up a quarter-century-old, fictional song for the subject of teacher-student sexual relations. Do the names Mary Kay LeTourneau and Debra LaFave ring a bell?
But mostly, I think this is just amusing. What MATURE adult really wants to hang out with a kid anyway?!
matt @ Jul 26th 2008 1:14PM
Some adults do enjoy leading and developing kids (e.g. Boy Scouts, Girl scouts, Campfire Girls, Boys and Girls Clubs and other similar civic-minded organizations).
X @ Jul 24th 2008 3:46PM
This has been a rule in my large Alabama school system for many years now. We, also, may not email even parents using anything other than the school system's provided email address for us. The causes of these rules came as a result of reported electronic harassment from kids & parents toward teachers; teachers selling grades; sexual misconduct between teachers & students; and other inappropriate behavior. Some schools, such as the one where I presently teach, do not punish teachers who break the system rule; they have the social networking or texting/cell phone and outside email contacts with our high schoolers. As a result, we have had the problems the rule is meant to prevent.
MikeL @ Jul 24th 2008 4:45PM
I believe this is all interpreted by what level of education it is. Anything involving High School and below, students and teachers should be conversing mainly through the school, and email. Other than that, no outside influence is needed.
On a college level or higher, I believe that all forms of communication could be used (except address, thats a bit weird) . Id have to say I stay in touch with my students via email and phone, in case they need a letter of professional reference or help on an assignment or just a general question about something that was going on during class, or to setup a tutoring time.
When it comes down to Facebook, and Myspace that does cross the line between professional and personal.
Baron @ Jul 24th 2008 5:31PM
I heard about this on the radio the other day (since it isn't far away from us in Jackson) and I think it is a fine idea. I am not long out (well, longer than I like to think) of college and my wife and several of her friends are teachers. Our friends that are teaching high school have been hit on, asked to the prom, had personal phone and cell phone numbers stolen, bashed on myspace and facebook, etc. There is a line that a teacher can't cross with a student and social networking really blurs that line. For the student that just posted, you have to realize that a teacher is in a position of authority and there are different rules for someone in that position. Otherwise, a 21 year old teacher coming out of college could legally date 18 year old high schoolers that they are teaching and that is just not cool. On the other hand, since my mom was worked in the school and I was fairly involved with academics (it also helped that it was a small town and many of my teachers were parents of my friends), some of my best adult friends were teachers. Again, it's just a different day and age.
Becky @ Jul 24th 2008 5:31PM
It always made my skin crawl a little when my teammates treated my high-school coach like more of a friend than they treated me. They had his MySpace and his cell phone , they'd send him texts and he'd send them right back. It never went "over the line," but I think they could have been doing something a lot more productive with their time.
I agree that students and teachers should keep their work and social lives private.
Maria @ Jul 24th 2008 9:40PM
As a high school teacher for 11 years, I always turn down 'friend' requests of my current students. They are very understanding when I explain it's not appropriate and they do not want to get me or themselves into trouble.
However, my students and their parents do have my cell number for emergency purposes and I am proud to say that none of them has ever taken advantage of that. I direct the marching band and there are occasions where we are on trips where the kids are separated from me (in amusement parks, for example). If a group gets lost, or a student is hurt or is ill, they contact me if necessary and even the first aid station at the park has my number. These are not social calls, but sharing numbers has been helpful on numerous occasions.
There is a professional way to establish boundaries without the school system having to get involved. It helps to establish a quality relationship with the students and their families so that you can communicate freely when necessary. It's very sad that there are those who overstep these boundaries who necessitate regulations that cast an air of suspicion on educators.
jim @ Jul 25th 2008 11:10AM
Come on people, there is NOTHING wrong with students and teachers hanging out. There is a BIG difference between hanging out and dating!!!
GET REAL!!
cindie @ Jul 25th 2008 11:18AM
I am a high school cheerleading coach and every member of the squad as well as her parents have my cell number and email. I talk to the girls on a regular basis. It is good for them to know I am not far and know what is going on in their community.
I also use my cell to let them know about practices etc. We have a great system. Usually the cheer captain texts everyone about an event, and when they get the message, everyone is required to say "ok" or got it, etc. I do the same thing if I am sending out information. Then, we only have to make phone calls to the ones who didn't reply. Do you have ANY idea how much time that saves?!
Also, I can talk to a parent quickly, only about the issue at hand, and at the same time I am doing other things with a text message instead of a phone call which can turn into a long drawn out conversation!
Just my two cents. Maybe they should put some guidelines on the restriction.
R Bizzle @ Jul 25th 2008 5:03PM
I am on both sides of the fence.I am a middle school teacher. I dont give out my cell number to students. I dont want them calling me except if we are on a field trip or something. I do have a Myspace and Facebook and I only add students once the school year is completed. Then they all want to be my friends on Myspace. I think its ok. There are some former students that I will be friends with once they are older and I want to keep in contact with. Teachers are regular people; we poop just like everyone else. That position of power statement is another debate...I think the bigger issue is that when I was a kid, we never saw our teachers outside the classroom, let alone calling/texting. Nowadays, my students see me at the mall, out on dates and they are more excited to see me outside the class than I am to see them. I have some coworkers who call there students, give them rides and such, but that is going to far I think.
Sam @ Jul 26th 2008 11:39AM
Even after the student is no longer a student, it can really be trouble.
http://mydearestreader.blogspot.com/
Chase @ Jul 26th 2008 10:35PM
Yeah, this is possibly the dumbest rule I've ever seen. Like someone else said teachers are just like any other person you meet and as long as teachers maintain themselves in a professional way then what is the problem. There are many other positions than teacher that require responsibility and they dont restrict them when they possibly require it even more... In fact new law cops can't have friends either, nor can judges, or any other job with responsibility. Wouldn't want that temptation of making friends to alter your choices. Really this law idiotic and state law should stop trying to control peoples personal lives. Government wasn't meant to change your personal life it is to maintain order, protect us, and to regulate our economy. If a person is irresponsible maybe don't hire them to work at your school. If they are responsible then what is the problem.
Chelsea @ Jul 30th 2008 10:43PM
Alright, now I'm from Florida. I know, home to the - it's okay to sleep with your students - teachers that this country knows and loves.
But I have my teachers numbers and text them on weekends and have gone to movies and stuff with them. I don't see the big deal in it. I mean, I'm eighteen now, but last year and the year before - 16/17 - I did the same thing. I have this teacher, he's 24, and handing or going to the movies, dinner, with him is no different than with my friends.
Neither is sending a "WTF R U UP2?" text.
I just don't get this Mississippi rule.
Virginia @ Sep 24th 2008 7:16PM
As a parent of a teenage daughter that just graduated from school this year and ran off with one of her teachers that is 22 years her senior, I do agree with this ruling. This should have been passed a long time ago. Teachers should not have a relationship with any student outside of the school grounds.