Teachers’ Bill of Rights posted in St. Mary classrooms

All Louisianans are endowed with inalienable rights, even if they’re teachers.

News that Louisiana ranks 39th in classroom discipline nationwide, state lawmakers approved a measure requiring the Teachers’ Bill of Rights be posted in classrooms and on school Web sites. A copy is also to be sent home to parents.

“Too many of our Louisiana teachers are leaving the classroom only a few years after they enter the teaching profession because of lack of discipline in the classroom,” Gov. Bobby Jindal said.

Lawmakers overwhelmingly approved the Teachers’ Bill of Rights during the Regular Session. The rights are meant to ensure that teachers have the support they need to help students obtain a quality education, Jindal said.

The state Department of Education also endorsed the measure. State Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek said in a release, “The Department of Education is proud to stand alongside our teachers … We know how important establishing and maintaining an environment that promotes learning is to the education of every child, and every educator should feel safe and supported in the classroom.”

The Teachers’ Bill of Rights is similar to the Bill of Rights in the U.S. Constitution. Lawmakers have outlined nine principles:

“A teacher has the right to …”

• Teach free from fear of frivolous lawsuits.

• Appropriately discipline students.

• Remove any persistently disruptive student from the classroom when that behavior interrupts with classroom instruction.

• Have his or her professional judgment and discretion respected by school administrators as it relates to disciplinary action used in reference to a student.

• Teach in a safe, secure and orderly environment.

• Be treated with civility and respect.

• Request the participation of parents in appropriate student disciplinary decisions.

• Be free from excessively burdensome disciplinary paperwork. In regards to new teachers:

• Receive leadership and support from qualified mentors as it relates to the new teacher’s professional development.

“Spelled out, it’s the basic civil rights of a teacher in the classroom,” said Dr. Donald Aguillard, St. Mary Parish superintendent.

The St. Mary Parish School District was the first to post the Teachers’ Bill of Rights in the Tri-parish area before the start of the 2008-09 school year.

Aguillard said many good things came out of the recent legislative session, but the Teachers’ Bill of Rights is of utmost importance to educators, and St. Mary Parish schools fully endorses the act.

“I will do everything in my power to make sure that the parish adheres to the legislation because we are so proud of our legislators,” he said. “Without a doubt, we must do everything we can to not only recruit, but also to retain qualified teachers in the parish.”

Morgan City High School Principal Mickey Fabre made sure all of his teachers were familiar with the Teachers’ Bill of Rights last week. He said he stands behind the legislation.

“Times have changed and the behavioral problems among school-aged children have gotten worse over the years. As administrators, we cannot forget what it was like to be a teacher,” Fabre said. “We have to give them as much support as they need to control their classroom.”