An opinion in the Colorado Springs Gazette  brings about some very important issues involving the lack of reporting and punishment of teacher sex offenders. Only recently have states been addressing harsher requirements for teacher background checks as well as other school employees and volunteers…and the issue has yet to be addressed with any seriousness by the federal government.

The article focuses on two primary issues: schools have failed in the past to report sexual misconduct to authorities in order to avoid bad publicity or ruining the teacher’s career, and those who are prosecuted are receiving menial punishment or sometimes no prison time at all.

I read stories about the sex abuse of children nearly every day and every parent should feel a deep sense of fear that their children could be in the presence of a sex offender more hours in the day than they are at home. Child sex abuse is a common problem in America and around the world. Parents and school administrators should take action on this issue as it is more imperative, in my opinion, than the economy, the presidential election, or any other issue facing America today.

All states should require the following school policies:

1. Background checks that include national criminal, county criminal and nationwide sex offender searches.

2. Thorough employment reference checks from all previous schools where the teacher worked.

3. State licensure and education verifications.

4. Mandatory reporting to authorities of all sex offenses and sexual misconduct.

Forcing schools to report sex offenses to authorities will help in providing accurate background checks and keep predators from working with children. It is equally important for school administrators, school boards, and parents to understand that exclusive use of statewide background checks or fingerprinting is not enough to protect children (read more here about criminal databases). Sex offenders oftentimes move out of the state in which they were prosecuted or suspended from employment and attempt to work in other states. Many school districts only check their statewide criminal databases when conducting background checks, which would not detect a predator that committed a crime in another state.

For more information on how your school district can obtain thorough and affordable background checks, please visit  www.pre-employ.com or call 800-300-1821 to speak with a sales representative.

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