We're from the government and we're here to help....

It sounds as though they rushed getting the survey done and didn't really take enough time to answer everyone's questions, or to provide enough information to get certain questions raised and answered, possibly because they wanted it accomplished well before the end of the school year.

Go back and read what I wrote. I clarified what I was saying in a subsequent post. I was referring to a student admitting to such use on a school survey.

In that state, the school is obligated to show they are meeting the social/emotional needs and development of their students

Quote:

Whatever the intentions, there is still opportunity to misuse the information.

Where is the clear indication for that in this situation? The school has to legally protect the confidentiality of the survey information about the student, the testing service must also protect confidentiality and maintain security over the results of the survey.

I think you have to balance the benefits to students against the hypothetical possibility of some sort of "misuse" of the survey info by an unscrupulous individual.

but the survey asks matters that are otherwise none of the teachers' business, or the school board's.

Sure. Because confidential information never leaks, and people in authority never misuse this kind of data.

Letter from Dr. Jack Barshinger to the BPS101 Community

Dear Members of the BPS101 Community:

During a regularly scheduled Batavia Public School District 101 board meeting this evening (Tuesday), the Board of Education approved a Resolution Authorizing a Notice of Remediation to a Batavia High School teacher. A notice to remedy is a written warning issued by a school board that warns the employee of improper conduct and the possible consequences thereof.

Much of the information that was discussed in closed session is confidential and cannot be shared. Please rest assured that during the review of this employee matter, the Board of Education was given all of the facts, which may or may not be the same as information you may have read in the newspaper or on social media websites.

That said, there is some context that I feel would be appropriate to share.
In this case, District teachers, social workers, guidance counselors, psychologists and others worked together for over a year to select a data-gathering instrument that could be used to determine what social or emotional issues our high school students are experiencing, and whether individual students could benefit from new or increased supportive intervention by our staff. These purposes were shared with our parents and our teachers.

The issue before the Board tonight was whether one employee has the right to mischaracterize the efforts of our teachers, counselors, social workers and others; and tell our students, in effect, that the adults are not here to help, but that they are trying to get you to “incriminate” yourselves.

Disagreement with District initiatives has happened before and it will happen again. What the BPS101 Board does not, and will not support, is any employee giving students false impressions about the motivations of those who come here every day to try to improve the lives of the students entrusted to our care. At no time was student discipline discussed or contemplated as a response to disclosures made by our students.

I understand that some people feel we could have done a better job explaining our goals and a better job working hand in hand with parents on these sensitive issues, and we will. The Board has asked my administration to take steps in the future to increase parental awareness and transparency when gathering data about sensitive issues such as mental health or substance abuse issues. When a plan of action is developed, we have agreed to share those details with our community.

We understand and appreciate the concern shown by our parents and our staff members for the welfare of our students. In all things we do, the best interests of the students must, and will, always come first.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jack Barshinger
Superintendent

http://bhs.bps101.net/node/5379

I'm trying to track down who they bought the survey from...

Actually, the parent has to opt their kid out...

It's crazy going through life mistrusting everyone--

And, if your adolescent's doctor or pediatrician asks that child about substance use--tobacco, alcohol or drugs--or risky sexual behaviors--should the child not be honest with the doctor either? Info in a doctor's office can be misused or leaked too.

I prefer not to be overly paranoid.

They are going to try to improve communication in that district. This was the letter sent out by the Superintendent of Schools and posted on the high school Web site.

Quote:

Letter from Dr. Jack Barshinger to the BPS101 Community


Much of the information that was discussed in closed session is confidential and cannot be shared. Please rest assured that during the review of this employee matter, the Board of Education was given all of the facts, which may or may not be the same as information you may have read in the newspaper or on social media websites.

How nice for board of education is able to keep their sessions confidential.

And if the student information turns out to be not so confidential, well, they have legal recourse. Sure they do - six months or a few years down the road after an expenditure of thousands of dollars. And for what? To undo compromised material that can't be undone.