Right way to check teacher backgrounds

We've heard Missourians refer to their state as a "40-something state," meaning that, in various key indicators, it ranks 40 or higher compared to other states in the nation.

Illinois is joining the club.

According to a survey by the Small Newspaper Group released earlier this week, Illinois falls short in making sure its teachers are properly vetted and, if they turn out to be unsuited for the job, getting rid of them. Illinois ranks 46th in the nation in checking teachers' backgrounds to see if they have convictions on their records, and it is nearly at the bottom, 49th, in pulling teachers' credentials.

A big part of the hindrance to getting rid of the few bad apples is that districts are not required to report to the state when they discipline or fire a teacher. Due to the threat of lawsuits, it is unlikely the next district looking at hiring such a teacher will get a straight answer for why the teacher left. In our litigious society, telling the truth about a former employee might land the employer in court.

Reporting certain serious disciplinary actions and dismissals to the State Board of Education, with the records held secret unless the person seeks to find another job in the schools, seems like a natural solution and would also facilitate pulling such teachers' certificates.

Some go too far, however. The head of a national group seeking to prevent abuse of students by teachers wants periodic criminal checks throughout a teacher's career, as well as psychiatric evaluations and polygraph tests. This is ridiculous. We must remember that teachers who abuse children are a tiny, tiny minority. A widespread effort would be a waste of time, money and resources, not to mention an incredible intrusion into the lives of the thousands and thousands of innocent teachers.

Pearl Harbor Day

Angelo DeLiberti is part of a movement to have the federal government declare Pearl Harbor Day a national holiday. He believes the day is one of the most significant in the nation's history.

It's hard to see a down side to DeLiberti's proposal. As the World War II generation passes on, there should be some official mechanism in place so future generations will be told the lessons of Pearl Harbor Day.