The big news right now in Missouri is over Senate Bill 54. The bill intends to limit student-teacher contact through social media. However, in this day and age, many teachers use social media to keep in touch and build relationships with their students. The ambiguity of the bill has worried many educators over losing effective communication channels.
Education technologists all over the country are watching the developments in Missouri closely to see what the overflow effect will be in their states.
I find the best way to ease anxiety over such issues is to learn as much as possible about them as possible. To help you decipher the new law, here a few links that you may find hel
pful.
- The bill itself is located here.
- Read the lawsuit filed by the Missouri State Teachers Association last week.
- The MSTA blog gives regular updates on the developments surrounding SB54.
- Cono Friedersdorf of the Atlantic explains the story behind the bill’s namesake, Amy Hestir, but makes an argument against limiting student-teacher connections through social media.
- One state senator has a different interpretation than many of the new law.
- MOREnet has archived resources and a web seminar that attempts to
- fully
explain the the details and reach of SB54. - Finally, for those who want to participate in political action to change SB54, join the Facedbook group where organizers meet and share resources on this issue.
How does SB54 affect your teaching practices this fall? What is your district doing in preparation for writing policy that aligns with SB54? What are some ways in which you plan to work around SB54 that still keep you in compliance? Are you using Facebook Groups?
Zac Early is an instructional specialist with the eMINTS National Center.