Florida Launches Teacher Misconduct Web Site

It seems that Floridians appreciate the opportunity to get information. Within a week of its launch, the site drew more than 56,000 visitors. The Web site does not provide access to information on ongoing investigations because it is confidential.

A handful of states provide some access to educator credentials. Texas has a similar online database that school administrators use to check an educator’s credentials, usually as part of the hiring process. Administrators know that teachers are under investigation for misconduct if their certificates are “flagged.” The major difference is that Texas’ database is not accessible to the general public. Two other states—Ohio and Vermont—have online databases of educator credentials.

Texas teacher organizations have complained that Texas’ system can unfairly impede a teacher from moving on in his or her career for a minor infraction. The Florida Education Association contends that the public database could result in the unfair targeting of teachers with names similar to an offender’s or for minor rule violations.

A Florida DOE spokeswoman says the intent of the Web site is to give parents a resource to ensure the safety of their children.