Kansas revokes license of teacher accused of delaying child-abuse report

[proud2BlibKansan]

WICHITA -- The Kansas Board of Education has taken the unusual step of revoking the license of a teacher who was accused of failing to promptly report suspected child abuse.

The Wichita Eagle reported that Donna L. Ford, 51, surrendered her teaching license to the state board. Members voted 6-2 on Tuesday to accept the surrender and revoke Ford’s license.

But some education officials are alarmed by the punishment.

“It’s an absolute atrocity,” said board member Walt Chappell, who cast one of the no votes. “What this does is send a shiver down the spine of every teacher in the state.

“Here’s someone who is concerned about children and wants to protect children,” said Chappell, who said he has spoken with both the teacher and her lawyer. “They ran her through the wringer over something where she was trying to do her best.”


Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/04/19/3564919/kansas-revokes-license-of-teacher.html#storylink=cpy

[HockeyMom]

1. Been there, done that

Teacher saw a Pre-K girl come into school with a black eye and sobbing. Girl said she fell, but we saw her Mom screaming at her before school. Teacher didn't want to report it, but other staff who were with the child did. Yes, after CDC investigated, the mother did hit the little girl. Better to err on the side of protecting the child and let the professionals determine the cause.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. I wish we had more information

The state board member's statement is rather alarming.

[longship]

3. In CA, teachers are obliged to report even suspicions

I hate to see this teacher lose her career, but she would have known of her obligation with regards to reporting.

This is one of those topics where there are maybe arguments on both sides. But I imagine that most states treat it similarly.

As a teacher in CA, you are told in no uncertain terms that reporting is mandatory.

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. I believe that's a federal requirement

I'd like to have more information about this teacher in Kansas.

[longship]

5. I thought so...

The KS teacher has lost her career. No school system would ever hire her. That's a consequence of these things in the teaching profession.

That makes an argument of adjusting policy to make penalties not so severe, although in CA they explicitly tell every licensed teacher the seriousness of this policy.

How does one split the difference? Or is this outcome desirable?

I just don't know. I am sure that we probably don't know the whole story here.

[AnneD]

6. I would like more information too.....

It would have to be fairly damning evidence before they take away her liscense. How many times have I known CPS put a child back in an unsafe enviroment.

My experience as been teachers, esp the newbies, confuse poverty for neglect. But I always tell them to send the child to me to document and call if needed. That way it gets them off the hook (but it puts me on ). That is ok, I have dealt with way to much of that in my years. I am an old hand at this now.

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. When in doubt, you call.

That's what I always tell new teachers. Nothing happens if you call and there is actually no abuse or neglect. But if you don't call, and there is a case, you could lose your job.

[AnneD]

8. When the teachers notify me....

I always e-mail them back telling them what I have done. I have a lot of teen drama going on here so I have to do some digging, but I document to beat the band. Their safe with me. I am not risking any one's job, especially my own.