Teachers encouraged to get close to students, but given little guidance on touchy situations
Former Bowie High School instructor sued after giving advice to questioning student says he has some regrets about counseling troubled teen.
By Molly Bloom
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Sunday, May 25, 2008
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/05/25/0525guidelines.htmlOver the past two years, the Austin school district has been encouraging high school teachers to form closer relationships with students. Teachers at each high school lead small advisory groups that operate under the theory that building stronger relationships will help school officials recognize struggling students sooner, thus improving academic performance and preventing some students from dropping out.
But teachers are given few specific guidelines on what to do if a student comes to them with questions about touchy issues, such as sexual identity.
