Pennsylvania teacher discipline cases, 1990-1999
By far
the most common reason for teacher discipline during the past decade was sex-related
offenses, according to state documents obtained by the Post-Gazette. Those offenses
included a few minor infractions such as inappropriate comments, but most were more
serious charges such as involuntary deviate sexual intercourse. The total number of
discipline cases of all types has nearly doubled since 1992.
| Disposition |
| Revoked |
138 |
| Surrendered |
74 |
Suspended |
27 |
| Public reprimand |
6 |
| Reinstated |
5 |
| Reinstatement denied |
5 |
| Reasons for discipline* |
| Sex-related offenses |
162 |
| Drug/alcohol |
28 |
| Theft, cheating |
25 |
| Assault |
17 |
| Incompetence |
11 |
| Forgery |
8 |
| Obstruction of justice |
4 |
| Murder |
2 |
| Prank phone calls |
2 |
| Firearms violations |
1 |
| Unknown/other crimes of moral turpitude |
32 |
| *May exceed total number of
teachers because some were disciplined for more than one offense. |
| |
| Subject areas* |
| Elementary education |
32 |
| Math, accounting |
29 |
| Social studies, history |
28 |
| Science |
23 |
| English, reading |
23 |
| Special education |
19 |
| Health, phys. ed |
15 |
| Music |
14 |
| Vocational education |
12 |
| Principal |
11 |
| Guidance |
6 |
| Languages |
5 |
| Driver education |
3 |
| Art |
3 |
| Librarian |
3 |
| Psychology |
2 |
| Speech |
2 |
| Computer science |
1 |
| Unavailable/unknown |
49 |
| *May exceed total number of
teachers because some teachers held certificates in more than one subject area. |
Source: Pennsylvania Standards and Practices
Commission, Pennsylvania Department of Education
Steve Thomas/Post-Gazette
