Law to Protect Teachers Who Report Cheating

By MEREDITH KOLODNER

The City Council voted last week to override Mayor Bloomberg's veto of a United Federation of Teachers-backed bill that will amend the city's "whistleblower" law to protect public employees who report behavior that could harm the safety or "educational welfare" of a child.

BOB JACKSON: 'Bill an important step.'

Supporters said it was needed to protect city workers and officials who speak up against practices such as lying about test scores. Mr. Bloomberg had argued that the current law was sufficient and that the UFT should negotiate its demands during contract bargaining.

'A Necessary Balance'

"This bill will protect educators from being harassed, punished or fired for speaking up when they see conduct that hurts children," said UFT President Randi Weingarten in a statement. "It is an essential check and balance against instances when Teachers are threatened by their supervisors simply for blowing the whistle on cheating, the failure to provide mandated services for special-needs kids or dangerous safety situations."

City Council Education Committee Chair Robert Jackson argued at the hearing that the city was obligated to do everything in its power to protect its school-children. "This bill is an important step in that direction," he said.

Current law prohibits retaliation against a city employee or official for reporting conduct involving corruption, criminal activity, conflict of interest, gross mismanagement or abuse of authority by another city official or employee. The bill expands the protection to include instances in which a public employee reports information or conduct he or she believes presents a "substantial and specific risk of harm to the health, safety or educational welfare of a child."