TEACHER RIGHTS - WORKSHOP - CONFERENCE ON VIOLENCE AND VANDALISM IN THE SCHOOLS, APRIL 29 - MAY 1, 1976

• NCJ Number: 35633
• Author(s): P HAUBNER
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 0 pages
• Grant Number(s): 75-A-2788-1-A
• Sponsoring Agency: Kansas Governor's Cmtte on Criminal Admin
• Corporate Author: Kansas State University
• Sale Source: Kansas State University; Not Available Through National Institute of Justice/NCJRS Document Loan Program
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

THIS ADDRESS BY THE INQUIRY SPECIALIST OF THE TEACHERS' RIGHTS DIVISION OF THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION REVIEWS THE RELATIONSHIP OF TEACHERS' RIGHTS TO STUDENTS' RIGHTS, AND EXAMINES THE PROPER ROLE OF THE TEACHER.

Abstract

THE PATTERN OF DENIAL OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TO CERTAIN GROUPS WHICH HAS TAKEN PLACE THROUGHOUT THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES IS FIRST EXAMINED. THE SPEAKER NOTES THAT YOUTHS AND TEACHERS ARE AMONG THE GROUPS THAT CONSISTENTLY HAVE BEEN DENIED THEIR RIGHTS. HE PROPOSES THAT THE ROLE OF EDUCATION AND THE SCHOOLS IS NOT TO PERPETUATE THE DENIAL OF RIGHTS, BUT TO FOSTER AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH STUDENTS LEARN TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHTS AND TO BECOME INDEPENDENT CITIZENS. HE MAINTAINS THAT IT IS THE TEACHERS' RIGHT TO BE ABLE TO FOSTER THIS TYPE OF LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AND TO PRACTICE THE TEACHING PROFESSION WITHOUT THE CODED RESPONSIBILITY OF CENSORING STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND THE EXPRESSION OF STUDENTS' RIGHTS. THE RECENT EXPANSION OF STUDENTS' RIGHTS, AND THE IMPACT THIS HAS HAD ON THE COMMUNITY AND THE RIGHTS OF TEACHERS IS EXAMINED. IT IS NOTED THAT THE INCREASE IN STUDENTS RIGHTS HAS CAUSED A CORRESPONDING CONCERN IN THE COMMUNITY WITH STUDENT DISCIPLINE AND CONTROL OF STUDENT VIOLENCE. THE TEACHER IS OFTEN CAUGHT BETWEEN THE CONFLICTING DEMANDS OF STUDENTS' RIGHTS AND INSTITUTIONAL AND PARENTAL REQUIREMENTS. TEACHERS ARE OFTEN ASKED TO PERFORM MANY DUTIES THAT DETRACT FROM THE TEACHING PROCESS, SUCH AS CONTROLLING UNRULY STUDENT BEHAVIOR, PERFORMING DISCIPLINARY DUTIES. ACTING AS COUNSELLORS OR SURROGATE PARENTS, AND CONDUCTING REFERRAL SERVICES. IN ADDITION, THEY ARE FACED WITH INADEQUATE FACILITIES AND TEACHING CONDITIONS. THE SPEAKER MAINTAINS THAT THE TEACHER'S ROLE IS NOT TO CONDUCT THESE EXTRA DUTIES, BUT TO TEACH. HE CONCLUDES THAT TEACHERS MUST BE GUARANTEED THE RIGHT TO TEACH IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE CHILDREN CAN LEARN, AND WHERE CHILDREN ARE LIKEWISE GUARANTEED AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO A FULL AND EFFECTIVE EDUCATION. FOR THE ENTIRE SERIES OF TAPES FROM THE VIOLENCE AND VANDALISM CONFERENCE, SEE NCJ-35621, 35623-35627, NCJ-35629-35635, 35637, 35638, AND 35640-35645.