I've got two stories. My first story was when I went to school a little stuffed up and sneezing because i slept with my cat the night before. When walking down the hall to class a student said hey jake your eyes are red you looked stoned. We then went to class and continued normally. Apparently a teacher overhead my friend saying "you looked stoned" and the dean of students was called down to take me out of class for a little "chat". I had to go down to the office and be asked "are you high young man" and have my back pack be searched then have my pockets be emptied. It was at this time I was feeling better cuz my allergies started to wear off. There was absolutely no evidence I was high or under any sort of influence from my pockets or backpack. Were my rights abused?
My second story is:
I've got a friend whose mom is a teacher at a completely different school. Her mom wanted to find out who I was so she asked some other teachers about me and what I was like.
2007-08-19 08:36:38 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Apparently this girls mom asked for my personal record and then talked to some more teachers about me. Her mom is a sub and other teachers talk so maybe they were messing with my "student teacher confidentiality" Because she says she has heard nothing good about me from other teachers. Is she aloud to go through some ones personal record just to find out who they're daughter is talking to!
2007-08-19 08:39:06 · update #1
Story 1. No. They have not just the right but the duty to check you if they have any reason to be suspicious. It is considered an issue of safety for the other students of the school and an issue of your well-being. They are looking out for you.
(This whole situation changes outside of school, but the school has to take responsibility for all that happens there rather than just their own actions, so they have powers that rarely duplicated in the real world).
You do need to find out how this went into your record though. Get copies. Make sure it did not go in as suspiscion of drug use with no proof found-you need them to include the full account of what happened and if possible make sure the person who reported it admits that all that was said was that youre eyes were red. This will help you later if youre ever in trouble for something else.
Story 2. Yes, you were violated. The talking to teachers is perfectly ok; however records are not to be used for personal reasons. Not really anything you can do about it, but you should at least complain to school board or something so that it doesnt happen to others. When you get your account as a school district employee it comes on a piece of paper that says it is a violation of your contract to use or access the information for something that is not work related.
I understand why she did it. I would want to know every bit of info I could get on anyone hanging out with my little girl. However that record includes things that are no longer relevant and things that are no one's business.
2007-08-19 08:53:19 · answer #1 · answered by Showtunes 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am going to assume that you are in public school and will address your second story first. There is no such thing as "teacher-student confidentiality" as is the case with a Doctor or a Priest. Most parents will use whatever resources they have available to find out what type of kid their child is hanging with. Now if she disclosed your SSAN or any medical information that is protected under the privacy act, then ya, that would technically be wrong, but the fact is you have to prove it and prove that you were harmed by that disclosure. On the first incident, as long as they didn't strip search you, no your rights were not violated. It is generally part of the state's education code that authorizes then to search backpacks, lockers and clothing (Empty your pockets and turn them inside out routine) for weapons, drugs or other contraband items. The code will define what is contraband items in your system. I would however, ask that the teacher that referred you to the office be informed that you did not have any illicit drugs on you and that there was no reason to suspect that you had used prior to entering her class. Let them know that you would have taken an antihystimine to school, but with the zero tolerance drug policy in most districts, students can not take over the counter or prescription medication to school unless administered by and maintained by the school nurse. Also ask them why most school districts don't drug test employee's with the exception of bus drivers (Mandated bu USDOT).
2007-08-19 08:55:17 · answer #2 · answered by Jim 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Right, I don't think your school abused your civil rights. You need to accept that your teachers etc are in a position of authority and do have the power to question you about certain thing like being stoned. Also they can only ask you to empty your pockets and bag so if you allowed them to have a look, you gave up your right to privacy on that occasion.
As for the second part of your tale, its not so much an infringement of liberties as an abuse of power. You MIGHT be able to make an official complaint but without concrete proof it will be difficult.
2007-08-19 08:47:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am interested in this because I do believe it is wrong to go though peoples records and plus to be searched. I'm a 16 year old female just finished high school and I know a few people who got searched because they either had drink/drugs on them and 9 times out of 10 the teachers were correct. I do believe it is unfair they can search you but I believe if they did not pupils would be getting away with drink/drugs at school like selling them to other pupils. So I guess it can be acceptable. But I believe your friends mum checking your school records and discussing you is wrong and out of order. I know she's only "trying" to protect her daughter but I think it is a law that them records are personal. I hope this has helped.
2007-08-19 08:52:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If so many students were not going to school stoned we would not have this problem. Since they are, teachers and administrators have the right to control the situation. If they did not it would be chaos.
If your so worried about being classified as a bad seed you may want to do more to protect your reputation.
2007-08-19 09:06:00 · answer #5 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Alright first story, they are fine on. They can inspect your person and/or possessions if they have reason to believe of drug/alcohol/gun use.
The second one I am not sure about, but my guess would be yes she did violate your rights. I don't believe she is allowed access to personal school information, but she is not stepping her bounds by asking your teachers what your like.
2007-08-19 08:43:22 · answer #6 · answered by Azena 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Story 1: Everything is fine.
Story 2: If they actually let her see your record, there is a problem. If not, parents talking to friends about their children's friends is not common enough these days.
2007-08-19 09:52:39 · answer #7 · answered by STEVEN F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As to the second storey. If you were a male freind of MY teenage daughter, I would sure the heck do everything in my power to check you out
2007-08-19 08:44:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, neither you nor your "rights" (whatever they are) were abused.
2007-08-19 08:45:15 · answer #9 · answered by DelK 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no you weren't abused
2007-08-19 08:40:49 · answer #10 · answered by evrettbgo 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋