Boundaries and Ethics in Schools

Module 5 Assignment: (Case Study 6-Send me a Pic” (Inappropriate contact between students and teachers on social media-technology)

Overview
“Send me a Pic” (Inappropriate contact between students and teachers on social media-technology)

Jennifer Lopez is a new principal at a school in a rural area of her state. The school district has the most up to date technology in every classroom and efficiently trains teachers to be effective in the use of technology. The local school district, as well as the administration, encourage teachers to have X (Twitter) accounts, Facebook accounts, etc. that contain information concerning their classroom activities. They feel it is an excellent way to keep students, parents, and community involved in the school and knowledgeable of school activities. However, the board and administration continuously caution teachers to not have any students on their personal social media accounts. They are told to never text a student from their personal cell phone or to a student’s personal cell phone. The district provides semi-annual trainings to ensure the teachers are aware of the consequences of using social media inappropriately with students. The teachers must sign a form acknowledging they have been trained and are aware of the proper conduct with regards to social media and the consequences of engaging in inappropriate, activity with a student.
Early on a Monday morning, a 10th grade student came to see Ms. Lopez. The student, whom we will call Kari, was very concerned about her friend Jenny. It seems that Jenny had started texting the high school girls’ basketball coach concerning practice times, game times, and transportation to and from the games. Her parents both worked at night so she had no means of transportation to the games. Jenny was one of the best players on the team, so the coach said he would make sure she had a lift to and from the games. But, in order for this to occur, he would need to text her to make sure of her location and let her know when she would be picked up by someone.
Jenny told Kari that at first, it was great. The coach helped her with transportation and even gave her some extra tips after practice so she could be a better player. One day the coach asked Jenny to send him a picture of her with her basketball and in uniform. He wanted her to pose in the manner in which she would stand to make a free throw. He said he wanted to analyze it. So, she sent it to him. Then he started sending her pictures of him playing ball, shooting free throws, etc. After a few weeks of this, the coach sent a picture of him in his ball shorts without a shirt. This made Jenny uncomfortable. But, the coach told her he just wanted her to see a particular stance. But, then the situation got out of control quickly. Not only did the coach send shirtless pictures, he began to ask her if she wanted to see what he had below his waste. She quickly told him NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. But, he kept sending pictures. Then came the bad ones. He sent pictures with his entire body and pictures of his genital area only. He sent pics of his genital area when he was aroused and asked her if she would like to see it in person. He then began asking her to send him naked pictures of herself. This is the point that Jenny told her friend about the coach. They spent the entire afternoon crying.
Kari finished her story to the principal. The principal told Kari that she would need to speak to Jenny so she has a first-hand account of the problem. She would also need to see the pictures. She informed Kari that she would also be contacting the police and child services.
From this point, how would you deal with this situation?
 

ELAD – School Law

Instructions

Read the case study. Consider the legal issues surrounding the case. Based upon the research, readings, lecture and video’s write a one page double-spaced essay that includes your responses to the following questions.

There are several issues in the scenario to consider:

1. The principal is new. What should she say to the student who showed her the pics?
2. What is the principal’s next step? Why is this next step so important? (see lecture slides)
3. Should she contact Jenny’s parents or let the police do it?
4. Review your school district policies concerning contact between students and teachers.
5. What legal and or ethical principles should be considered?
6. Discuss your recommendation on how to proceed.
7. Consider the prospect that these girls could be making the whole thing up? Pictures can be manipulated, especially with modern technology.
8. This will certainly cause a media circus. Review you district policy on providing info to the media and discuss how you will present the information to them.
9. Consider not only the legal and ethical principles involved, but also how the community will respond.
10. Do you think the document signed by the teacher, acknowledging training on social media, will protect the school from a law suit?