As Kentucky students return to classrooms, a new law is reshaping the way teachers and coaches can interact with them. Senate Bill 181, passed during the legislative session, seeks to establish clear boundaries and accountability in communications between students and school personnel. This legislation aims to prevent potential misconduct by restricting the use of personal communication channels.
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The Core of Senate Bill 181: Traceable Communication
The central tenet of SB 181 is the requirement for traceable communication. The law prohibits teachers, coaches, and volunteers from using personal text messaging, third-party apps, personal email addresses, or social media to communicate with students. The goal is to eliminate avenues for communication that lack oversight and could potentially be exploited.
Why the Need for Such a Law?
The impetus behind SB 181 lies in the prevention of child abuse and grooming. By limiting communication to approved and monitored platforms, the law aims to create a safer environment for students and reduce the risk of inappropriate relationships developing between students and adults in positions of authority. Concerns about grooming were voiced by officials like Kentucky High School Athletic Association Commissioner Julian Tackett, who emphasized the importance of preventing even isolated incidents.
Key Provisions of the Law
- Designated Communication Systems: Public school districts are required to specify at least one traceable communication system for electronic communication between employees/volunteers and students.
- Prohibition of Unapproved Platforms: Once these platforms are designated, school staff and volunteers are forbidden from using any other form of electronic communication with students within their district.
- Scope of the Law: The law applies to all communication, regardless of the subject matter, meaning school staff cannot use unapproved platforms to message students, even for seemingly innocuous reasons.
- Parental Notification: Within the first 10 days of the school year, districts must provide parents with information about the approved communication platforms and instructions on how to access and review communications sent through them.
How Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) is Adapting
Prior to SB 181, JCPS relied on various communication methods, including email, flyers, and parent messaging. To comply with the new law, JCPS is implementing a more structured approach, centered around approved digital platforms.
JCPS is introducing a new communication platform, Thrillshare, which offers two-way communication capabilities. This platform, along with others like Google Classroom, will be integrated into the district’s electronic communication guidelines.
The platforms approved by JCPS for permanent use include:
- JCPS district email
- Thrillshare rooms and alerts
- Infinite Campus Messenger
- Google Workspace for Education
- Microsoft for Education
- Blackboard (for JCPS eSchool and Pathfinder staff and students)
JCPS will also transition from School Messenger to Thrillshare for district-wide emails.
Exceptions to the Rule
While SB 181 applies broadly, there are some exceptions:
- Private Schools: The regulations do not apply to private schools.
- Parental Opt-Out: Parents can provide written consent to allow communication on unapproved platforms. This consent must be filed with the school’s administrative office.
- Family Members: The law does not apply to communication between students and family members who are district employees (defined as parents, siblings, children, aunts, uncles, or grandparents).
Enforcement and Reporting
SB 181 relies on a reporting system for enforcement. School employees and volunteers are mandatory reporters and must notify their supervising principal if they observe any unapproved communication between a student and an employee/volunteer within their district.
While students are not penalized for messaging employees on unapproved platforms, faculty members are prohibited from responding if they suspect the message is from a student in their district. Monitoring will occur at the school level, without district-wide oversight.
Challenges and Adaptations
The implementation of SB 181 is expected to present some challenges. As local administrations are responsible for monitoring communication within their schools, inconsistencies between districts are likely. Effective communication and adaptation will be crucial to ensuring the law’s intent is honored and student safety remains the top priority. The law may be refined and adjusted as needed to address any unforeseen issues or challenges that arise during its implementation. The primary goal is to create a safe and transparent communication environment for all students in Kentucky’s public schools.
