Retroactive Background Check Requirements Could Result in Loss of Veteran Teachers
by Jason Morris
When I came across this headline I thought it would be another great argument for ongoing screening or IQ Review. In reality, many Florida educators never had a proper background check conducted in the first place.
‘Withers said the district is reviewing teachers hired before 2003, which is the year that the district stepped up its screening policies. He said he didn’t know why the policies were stepped up in 2003.’
They may have taught in Southwest Florida schools for years, but a new law could mean a pink slip for veteran teachers.
Teachers, administrators and others now fall under the Ethics and Education Act, which was passed by the Legislature and went into effect July 1.
The new law requires retroactive checks of the criminal records of teachers and employees in contact with students daily, and bars from employment anyone with any felony conviction for a variety of specified crimes.
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