Too often, problem teachers are allowed to leave quietly. That can mean future abuse for another student and another school district. They might deal with it internally, suspending the person or having the person move on. So their license is never investigated, says Charol Shakeshaft, a leading expert in teacher sex abuse who heads the educational leadership department at Virginia Commonwealth University.Its a dynamic so common it has its own nicknamespassing the trash or the mobile molester.Laws in several states require that even an allegation of sexual misconduct be reported to the state departments that oversee teacher licenses. But theres no consistent enforcement, so such laws are easy to ignore.School officials fear public embarrassment as much as the perpetrators do, Shakeshaft says. They want to avoid the fallout from going up against a popular teacher. They also dont want to get sued by teachers or victims, and they dont want to face a challenge from a strong union.
They might deal with it internally, suspending the person or having the person move on. So their license is never investigated, says Charol Shakeshaft, a leading expert in teacher sex abuse who heads the educational leadership department at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Its a dynamic so common it has its own nicknamespassing the trash or the mobile molester.
Laws in several states require that even an allegation of sexual misconduct be reported to the state departments that oversee teacher licenses. But theres no consistent enforcement, so such laws are easy to ignore.
School officials fear public embarrassment as much as the perpetrators do, Shakeshaft says. They want to avoid the fallout from going up against a popular teacher. They also dont want to get sued by teachers or victims, and they dont want to face a challenge from a strong union.
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/ny-ny/Egan-2002-04-a.htm
More on FR. Malone of NY.