The Austin Independent School District has recently been conducting background tests on its approximately 6,600 educators, with surprising results. Two-thirds of the educators have been checked, and out of those, 15 have felony criminal records and 241 have misdemeanor criminal records. A criminal record does not mean the person was convicted, so AISD is investigating each case to determine whether action is necessary. AISD wouldn’t disclose what types of crimes the teachers were charged with, but a teacher found to have a felony conviction could lose his or her job.
This fingerprinting is part of a new state law to fingerprint certified educators, including substitute teachers. This law expands on a previous background check law that only required teachers certified since 2003 to undergo background checks.
Comments
If we get rid of all the felonies who is going to teach our kids the fine art of cat burglarly or car theft? These are the new jobs of the 21st century.
I disagree.
If the convicted educator have felony criminal records or misdemeanor criminal records in the past, the Austin Independent School District should conduct another background check if they are living a clean and descent life after that and also, they have to check their performance at work. Everyone has the rights for a second chance.