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10th Annual Doug Bates Lecture, 2012NASDTEC Conference 2012Beverly GregoryWhat an honor to be back at NASDTEC and at this luncheon. I would be remiss if did not first acknowledge and thank Pearson as host of this luncheon for the past years; Roy for his leadership as Executive Director of NASDTEC, (Congrats on 2nd/3rd Retirement); the NASDTEC organization, and those of you who are its faces and voices for Your Openness Sharing your Knowledge with Arkansas. Thanks also to Ken James, former Commissioner in Arkansas and now a Pearson Colleague who gave me the permission to undertake this mission in Arkansas; and, Phil Rogers—congratulations. You will be wonderful wearing the NASDTEC hat and it is truly Kentucky’s loss.What Happened in Arkansas that allows me to be the one to address you today. We’ve all heard of the Three R’s of Classroom Teaching: Reading, ‘Riting, and ‘Rithmetic. Well, here is Arkansas’ Story and it begins in 2008 when The Code of Ethics for AR Educators was established and the Professional Practices were outlined. We in essence created another set of the Three (3) R’s for the Profession: 1) It is the Right Thing, 2) It is the Responsibility of the Profession, and 3) It Builds Relationships within the Community. 1). It is the right thing for students, so they are socially and emotionally educated in a safe environment and that we respect them as human beings. Ethical conduct by a teacher is more than about sexual conduct. Some examples of Arkansas cases include: A parent who murdered own child, was found not guilty due to mental illness, but still held AR license;The “Don’t tell philosophy” – Take the resignation and ship them out of town. 4 alleged sexual assaults in 4 different school districts by one educator in 10 years – Hopped districts within 50 mile radius. There is Still a Goal Ahead of Us to Define What is Education Malpractice - better known as “Failure to be an Effective Teacher/Educator.” It is the Responsibility of the Profession. Even with expected Resistance (700 plus public comments across state, most were that there was no need, or it was a Communist Ploy.) Ken James, teased me about having to wear a bullet-proof vest around the state.Vignettes to illustrate the point are:1997 to Present (Since 2008)Ethical Standards setPreviously only Criminal Convictions – Now CC is 1 of 7 standardsRevocation/Suspension only, Now Seven (7) Tiers of ConsequencesSeveral Obstacles Still Exist that need to be Addressed and maybe some States have succeeded and share the story:Allegation in Spring, Investigation in Summer (Educator’s time off)Educating the Masses that Ethics is NOT employment issues that can resolved through the Grievance Process (Licensure vs Employment)Balancing Small/Big Town Politics (PLSB is the WHITE HORSE coming to the Rescue)Goals:Perpetrator versus Failure to Protect Students? AR had one prior to Penn StateFine Line between Ethical Issue and Honest Mistake? New ExcuseDefine What is Education Malpractice - better known as “Failure to be an Effective Teacher/Educator”3.) Builds Relationships within the CommunityInformally always an Expectation now Formalized – All Parties Clear on the StandardsTeachers should be required to have a PR course; often belittle each other out of shameVignettes:Fall thru the Cracks: Parents due diligence to protect their sons/daughters thus no charges pressed and a failure to support prosecutors. Again not morals police, “Fire Chief” Phone Call to Principal and Teacher having sex. What was I going to do??Last Month I sent a letter to members of my Hendrix College Graduating Class about our 40th Class Reunion. In that letter I included this quote from our 1972 yearbook that spoke to approx. one thousand college students who were 18-22 year olds: “It is out of diversified personal contact that an understanding of human nature grows and one’s own character emerges.”I bring this quote forward today, because it is epitomizes the process that Arkansas went through:Diversified personal contact – 14 NASDTEC states shared their legislation and documents with AR when we began Plagiarism versus Research - It was Research – Gut Wrenching There were clearly two camps, those that wanted Code of Ethics and Professional Practices because it was “What was Right” versus those who did not because “That was A Popular Position.” It was an Unknown so therefore scary.Understanding of human nature – mentioned previously the resistance but also the large group who were demanding that AR’s progress continue:Difficult to define what was ‘acceptable to all’Interpretations; Often easier to define what it was NOT, #1 was Morals Police (Bedroom Police)Character emerges –The Character of AR Teaching Profession has emerged – The 3 Rs: It is Right for Students, It is the Responsibility of Profession, and It Builds Relationships within the CommunityTweaks along the way, no one said AR birthed a perfect document and/or process, but we got off GO.I trust that the Great State of AR will continue to make improvements that reflect its Character that places the Safety of all Students of this State First, as you are doing in your state, I am sometimes surprised that only 70% of the states have established some formal norms. If your state has not begun this process and you are considering that now is the time; please know that the resources are in this organization to help you. Please do not hesitate to contact me, or my AR colleagues if we can assist you. AR is the most recent state to jump this hurdle. The process is fresh on our minds, in our hearts and maybe we can assist you in avoiding some of the land mines that we faced. I proudly accept this award, not for myself, but on behalf of those who were part of the process:NASDTEC Organization and especially the Professional Practices Institutes: Carolyn, Gary, Phil, Beth, Vickie, Troy, and so many others who AR considers our NASDTEC Friends.You, the NASDTEC faces, who shared your ideas and helped guided AR’s thinking – you were the catalyst and I must give you credit.AR Teachers, Administrators and State Leaders (ADE, State Board and AR Legislators), and Most especially to those individuals who work on the Professional Licensure Standards Board or in that office at the Arkansas Department of Education, because they are the ones who have been implementing this program daily and are called upon to make the tough decisions. It is one thing for a superintendent and that local board to terminate a teacher; It is quite another for the PLSB and the any state board to permanently revoke the license of an educator. ................
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