This is a pretty big story. Kevin brings it:
A yearlong investigation by the Cap Times found the state Department of Public Instruction investigated more than 200 Wisconsin teachers, aides, substitutes and administrators from 2018 to 2023 who were accused of sexual misconduct or grooming behaviors toward students — information previously unknown to the public.
The department’s internal records show these allegations included educators sexually assaulting students, soliciting nude photos from children or initiating sexual relationships immediately after students graduated.
Licensing officials also investigated educators accused of grooming behaviors like flirting with children, spending non-school time alone and isolated with students, or invading students’ personal space by rubbing their shoulders, thighs and lower backs....
The Cap Times article does NOT say whether "investigations" became "prosecutions" and "convictions." That's a very important distinction.
However:
... Licensing officials also allow educators under investigation to forfeit their credentials in exchange for avoiding in-depth probes.
· Unlike a different agency that regulates hundreds of other state-licensed professionals — like nurses and accountants — the Department of Public Instruction doesn’t tell the public why an educator lost their license. Advocates say this lack of transparency makes it easier for educator misconduct to avoid detection and happen again.
· Out of 461 teachers the state investigated from 2018 to 2023 for all forms of misconduct, 207 kept their credentials and could continue working in schools with children....
So..........250++ teachers LOST their credentials in that 5 year period--and recall that a couple of those were CoVid years when no kids were in school.
Yet you never heard of all this until today.
And another surprise:
[State Superintendent of Public Instruction] Underly declined requests for an interview.
Huh.
No comments:
Post a Comment