Mo. repeals teacher-student Internet restrictions

Friday, October 21, 2011

By DAVID A. LIEB

Associated Press

JEFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon signed legislation Friday repealing a contentious law that had limited online discussions between teachers and students and caused a judge to raise concerns that it infringed on free-speech rights.

Nixon’s action eliminates a law enacted earlier this year that barred teachers from using websites that allow “exclusive access” with students or former pupils age 18 or younger. Some teachers had raised concerns that they would be restricted from using social media sites such as Facebook, which allow private messages.

A judge temporarily blocked the law shortly before it was to take effect in August, declaring that it “would have a chilling effect” on free-speech rights guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution. Nixon then added the law’s repeal to the agenda for a special session that began in September.

Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly for legislation repealing the state’s Internet restrictions for teachers. But the bill they sent to the governor also requires school districts to develop their own policies on the use of electronic media between employees and students.

Nixon said he signed the legislation with some hesitancy. The governor said school districts may find it challenging to develop policies that prevent improper communications without also preventing appropriation online conversations.

“This bill is not as good as it should be, but to veto it would return us to a bill that would be far worse,” Nixon said in a written statement announcing his decision.

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wow 1 year, 7 months ago

Mr Nixon on this one you failed miserably. Since when do Social Networking sites have anything to do with Teachers and Students interacting about school/education? Since when is a teachers "Free Speech impaired because they (THE TEACHERS) are not allowed to communicate with K-12 Students for non school related activities on facebook, twitter, e-mail etc, etc, etc. Since when is it unwise or a Constitutional violation to restrict and or monitor Teacher/K-12 student activity? Also...since School Districts are no longer "REQUIRED" to let it be known when they fire a Teacher who has been accused/convicted of Sex Crimes against students...... Who in their right mind believes these people are gonna WILLINGLY share the information...NEWS FLASH...up until the brief period when they had to...SCHOOL OFFICIALS DID NOT SHARE information about TEACHERS who committed Sex Crimes against students. So now that the POLITICIANS have failed to approve a common sense law that would have prevented or at least hindered Sex Offenders from hiding in the ranks of the SCHOOL DISTRICTS, by making such reporting MANDATORY..... We're right back at square one...Mr. Nixon, Mr. Kinder WHAT ARE YOU TWO NOT THINKING ABOUT?
I support you on the China Hub and I defended you against the Mamteck Lynch Mob because that was the right thing to do. But on this student teacher interaction and "Don't Pass the Trash deal....regretfully you' guy's both failed.

Mr. Kostner you get an extra "F" for the PP way the Mr. Ken Storla situation was handled. A confessed Sex Offender was/is allowed to Alford Plea himself out of jail. You had the evidence to get the conviction, but somehow this guy confesses to Sexually Molesting his 12year old grand child, yet isn't a convicted Sex Offender, does not have to register as a Sex Offender, has no criminal record, but has to attend Sex offender Therapy..AAAAAAWWW COME ON MAAAAN!!!!!!

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