Ethics Newsline®

Ethics and Education Controversies Highlighted in Week’s News

May 5th, 2008 • Posted in: News

Law professor sues students for defamation; two Illinois professors settle suit over mandatory ethics test; Florida House passes tough educator-ethics bill

VARIOUS DATELINES
Interesting intersections of education and ethics were featured in the U.S. press last week. Among the stories:

• A University of Arkansas law professor has sued two of his students, claming they defamed him by calling him a racist, the New York Times reports. Richard Peltz, an authority on freedom-of-speech issues, filed the suit against two third-year students after a long-simmering debate about Peltz’s classroom remarks about affirmative action. According to the Times, Peltz, who is white, displayed what some of his black law students claim was a belittling satirical article about affirmative action. Peltz denies he is a racist and says he took part in a legitimate academic debate in which he questioned the effectiveness of affirmative action. “The Arkansas case could do more than give law students practical experience before they take the bar; it could also renew debate about free speech on campus and academic freedom,” the Times notes.
• Two professors at Southern Illinois University Carbondale have settled a lawsuit they brought after the state flunked them on a mandatory online ethics test, claming they finished too quickly, reports the Springfield State Journal-Register. Marvin Zeman and Walter Wallis will get credit for completing the test, which they took in 2006. The state invalidated their results, along with those of more than 250 others, saying it was impossible for them to have completed more than 80 pages of online coursework during the brief time they were recorded as being logged into the website. Zeman, among others, refused to retake the test, saying that doing so would be a tacit admission that he was guilty of misconduct on the first one. State officials would not comment on the settlement.
• Florida’s House last week unanimously passed a bill imposing harsh penalties for teachers who abuse students. The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports that the Ethics in Education Act would classify certain teacher offenses as a “breach of public trust,” meaning that the state would be prohibited from paying retirement benefits. In addition, reports the Herald-Tribune, the bill would ban settlements that keep accusations against teachers secret if they leave the school district without challenging their firing. The measure also requires the state to help public and private schools develop ethics codes for teachers. The bill, which previously was approved by the Senate, now goes to Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who is expected to sign it.

Sources: New York Times, May 1 — Springfield State Journal-Register, May 1 — Sarasota Herald-Tribune, May 2.

For more information, see: Related Newsline story, Mar. 31 — Related Newsline story, Jan. 8 — Related Newsline story, Feb. 12, 2007 — Related Newsline story, Apr. 12, 2004 — Related Newsline Commentary, June 30, 2003.

 Print This Story  Email This Story

2 Responses »

1. Ethics Newsline » News » Education Ethics Featured in Reports on June 9th, 2008 at 8:39 pm:

   [...] more information, see: Related Newsline story, June 2 — Related Newsline story, May 5 — Related Newsline story, Apr. 28 — Related Newsline story, Mar. 31 [...]

2. Ethics Newsline® » News » British Ethics Professor Says New Test Can Determine Your ‘Moral DNA’ on July 14th, 2008 at 7:49 pm:

   [...] more information, see: Related Newsline story, May 5 — Related Newsline story, Feb. 12, 2007 — Related Newsline story, Jan. 29, [...]

• Subscribe

  Ethics Newsline®, published weekly by the Institute for Global Ethics, is the premier online source for news and information on ethics and current events. A new edition is available every Monday night. Subscribe FREE today!

• Weekly Archives

  Select Issue August 4, 2008 July 28, 2008 July 21, 2008 July 14, 2008 July 7, 2008 June 30, 2008 June 23, 2008 June 16, 2008 June 9, 2008 June 2, 2008 May 27, 2008 May 19, 2008 May 13, 2008 May 12, 2008 May 5, 2008 May 1, 2008 April 28, 2008 April 21, 2008 April 14, 2008 April 7, 2008 March 31, 2008 March 24, 2008 March 17, 2008 March 10, 2008 March 3, 2008 February 25, 2008 February 18, 2008 February 11, 2008 February 4, 2008 January 28, 2008 January 22, 2008 January 14, 2008 January 7, 2008 December 31, 2007 December 17, 2007 December 10, 2007 December 3, 2007 November 26, 2007 November 19, 2007 November 13, 2007 November 5, 2007 October 29, 2007 October 22, 2007 October 15, 2007 October 8, 2007 October 1, 2007 September 24, 2007 September 17, 2007 September 10, 2007 September 4, 2007 August 27, 2007 August 20, 2007 August 13, 2007 August 6, 2007 July 30, 2007 July 23, 2007 July 16, 2007 July 9, 2007 July 2, 2007 June 25, 2007 June 18, 2007 June 11, 2007 June 4, 2007 May 29, 2007 May 21, 2007 May 14, 2007 May 7, 2007 April 30, 2007 April 23, 2007 April 16, 2007 April 9, 2007 April 2, 2007 March 26, 2007 March 19, 2007 March 12, 2007 March 5, 2007 February 26, 2007 February 20, 2007 February 12, 2007 February 5, 2007 January 29, 2007 January 22, 2007 January 16, 2007 January 8, 2007 January 2, 2007 December 18, 2006 December 11, 2006 December 4, 2006 November 27, 2006 November 20, 2006 November 13, 2006 November 6, 2006 October 30, 2006 October 23, 2006 October 16, 2006 October 10, 2006 October 2, 2006 September 25, 2006 September 18, 2006 September 11, 2006 September 5, 2006 August 28, 2006 August 21, 2006 August 15, 2006 August 7, 2006 July 31, 2006 July 24, 2006 July 17, 2006 July 10, 2006 July 3, 2006 June 26, 2006 June 19, 2006 June 12, 2006 June 5, 2006 May 30, 2006 May 22, 2006 May 15, 2006 May 8, 2006 May 1, 2006 April 24, 2006 April 17, 2006 April 10, 2006 April 3, 2006 March 27, 2006 March 20, 2006 March 13, 2006 March 6, 2006 February 27, 2006 February 20, 2006 February 13, 2006 February 6, 2006 January 30, 2006 January 23, 2006 January 16, 2006 January 9, 2006 January 2, 2006 December 19, 2005 December 12, 2005 December 5, 2005 November 21, 2005 November 14, 2005 November 7, 2005 October 31, 2005 October 24, 2005 October 17, 2005 October 11, 2005 October 3, 2005 September 26, 2005 September 19, 2005 September 12, 2005 September 6, 2005 August 29, 2005 August 22, 2005 August 15, 2005 August 8, 2005 August 1, 2005 July 25, 2005 July 18, 2005 July 11, 2005 June 27, 2005 June 20, 2005 June 13, 2005 June 6, 2005 May 31, 2005 May 23, 2005 May 16, 2005 May 9, 2005 May 2, 2005 April 25, 2005 April 18, 2005 April 11, 2005 April 4, 2005 March 28, 2005 March 21, 2005 March 14, 2005 March 7, 2005 February 28, 2005 February 22, 2005 February 14, 2005 February 7, 2005 January 31, 2005 January 24, 2005 January 18, 2005 January 10, 2005 December 20, 2004 December 13, 2004 December 6, 2004 November 22, 2004 November 15, 2004 November 8, 2004 November 1, 2004 October 25, 2004 October 18, 2004 October 11, 2004 October 4, 2004 September 27, 2004 September 20, 2004 September 7, 2004 August 30, 2004 August 23, 2004 August 16, 2004 August 9, 2004 August 2, 2004 July 26, 2004 July 19, 2004 July 12, 2004 July 6, 2004 June 28, 2004 June 21, 2004 June 14, 2004 June 7, 2004 June 1, 2004 May 24, 2004 May 17, 2004 May 10, 2004 May 3, 2004 April 26, 2004 April 19, 2004 April 12, 2004 April 5, 2004 March 29, 2004 March 22, 2004 March 15, 2004 March 8, 2004 March 1, 2004 February 23, 2004 February 17, 2004 February 9, 2004 February 2, 2004 January 26, 2004 January 20, 2004 January 12, 2004 January 5, 2004 December 22, 2003 December 15, 2003 December 8, 2003 November 24, 2003 November 17, 2003 November 10, 2003 November 3, 2003 October 27, 2003 October 20, 2003 October 14, 2003 October 6, 2003 September 29, 2003 September 22, 2003 September 15, 2003 September 8, 2003 September 2, 2003 August 25, 2003 August 18, 2003 August 11, 2003 August 4, 2003 July 28, 2003 July 21, 2003 July 14, 2003 July 7, 2003 June 30, 2003 June 23, 2003 June 15, 2003 June 9, 2003 June 2, 2003 May 27, 2003 May 19, 2003 May 12, 2003 May 5, 2003 April 28, 2003 April 21, 2003 April 14, 2003 April 6, 2003 March 31, 2003 March 24, 2003 March 17, 2003 March 10, 2003 March 3, 2003 February 24, 2003 February 17, 2003 February 10, 2003 February 3, 2003 January 27, 2003 January 21, 2003 January 13, 2003 January 6, 2003 December 23, 2002 December 16, 2002 December 9, 2002 November 25, 2002 November 18, 2002 November 12, 2002 November 4, 2002 October 28, 2002 October 21, 2002 October 15, 2002 October 7, 2002 September 30, 2002 September 23, 2002 September 16, 2002 September 9, 2002 September 3, 2002 August 26, 2002 August 19, 2002 August 12, 2002 August 5, 2002 July 29, 2002 July 22, 2002 July 15, 2002 July 8, 2002 July 1, 2002 June 24, 2002 June 17, 2002 June 10, 2002 June 3, 2002 May 27, 2002 May 20, 2002 May 13, 2002 May 6, 2002 April 29, 2002 April 22, 2002 April 15, 2002 April 8, 2002 April 1, 2002 March 25, 2002 March 18, 2002 March 11, 2002 March 4, 2002 February 25, 2002 February 18, 2002 February 11, 2002 February 4, 2002 January 28, 2002 January 21, 2002 January 14, 2002 January 7, 2002 December 24, 2001 December 17, 2001 December 10, 2001 December 3, 2001 November 19, 2001 November 13, 2001 November 5, 2001 October 29, 2001 October 22, 2001 October 15, 2001 October 9, 2001 October 1, 2001 September 24, 2001 September 17, 2001 September 10, 2001 September 3, 2001 August 27, 2001 August 20, 2001 August 13, 2001 August 6, 2001 July 30, 2001 July 23, 2001 July 16, 2001 July 9, 2001 July 2, 2001 June 25, 2001 June 18, 2001 June 11, 2001 June 4, 2001 May 29, 2001 May 21, 2001 May 14, 2001 May 7, 2001 April 30, 2001 April 23, 2001 April 16, 2001 April 9, 2001 April 2, 2001 March 26, 2001 March 19, 2001 March 12, 2001 March 5, 2001 February 26, 2001 February 18, 2001 February 12, 2001 February 5, 2001 January 29, 2001 January 22, 2001 January 15, 2001 January 8, 2001 January 1, 2001 December 25, 2000 December 18, 2000 December 11, 2000 December 4, 2000 November 20, 2000 November 13, 2000 November 6, 2000 October 30, 2000 October 23, 2000 October 16, 2000 October 9, 2000 October 2, 2000 September 25, 2000 September 18, 2000 September 11, 2000 September 4, 2000 August 28, 2000 August 21, 2000 August 14, 2000 August 7, 2000 July 31, 2000 July 24, 2000 July 17, 2000 July 10, 2000 July 3, 2000 June 26, 2000 June 19, 2000 June 12, 2000 June 5, 2000 May 29, 2000 May 22, 2000 May 15, 2000 May 8, 2000 May 1, 2000 April 24, 2000 April 17, 2000 April 10, 2000 April 3, 2000 March 27, 2000 March 20, 2000 March 13, 2000 March 6, 2000 February 28, 2000 February 21, 2000 February 14, 2000 February 7, 2000 January 31, 2000 January 24, 2000 January 17, 2000 January 10, 2000 January 3, 2000 November 30, 1999 December 27, 1999 December 20, 1999 December 13, 1999 December 6, 1999 November 29, 1999 November 22, 1999 November 15, 1999 November 8, 1999 November 1, 1999 October 25, 1999 October 18, 1999 October 12, 1999 October 4, 1999 September 27, 1999 September 20, 1999 September 13, 1999 September 6, 1999 August 30, 1999 August 23, 1999 August 16, 1999 August 9, 1999 August 2, 1999 July 26, 1999 July 19, 1999 July 12, 1999 July 6, 1999 June 28, 1999 June 21, 1999 June 14, 1999 June 7, 1999 May 31, 1999 May 24, 1999 May 17, 1999 May 10, 1999 May 3, 1999 April 26, 1999 April 19, 1999 April 12, 1999 April 8, 1999 April 5, 1999 March 29, 1999 March 22, 1999 March 15, 1999 March 8, 1999 March 1, 1999 February 22, 1999 February 15, 1999 February 8, 1999 February 1, 1999 January 25, 1999 January 18, 1999 January 11, 1999 January 10, 1999 January 4, 1999 December 28, 1998 December 21, 1998 December 14, 1998 December 7, 1998 November 30, 1998 November 23, 1998 November 16, 1998 November 9, 1998 November 2, 1998 October 26, 1998 October 19, 1998 October 13, 1998 October 5, 1998 September 28, 1998 September 21, 1998 September 14, 1998 September 7, 1998 August 31, 1998 August 24, 1998 August 17, 1998 August 10, 1998 August 3, 1998 July 27, 1998 July 20, 1998 July 13, 1998 July 7, 1998 June 29, 1998 June 22, 1998 June 15, 1998 June 8, 1998 June 1, 1998 May 25, 1998 May 18, 1998 May 11, 1998 May 4, 1998 April 27, 1998 April 20, 1998 April 13, 1998 April 6, 1998 March 30, 1998 March 23, 1998 March 16, 1998 March 9, 1998 March 1, 1998 February 22, 1998

• Monthly Archives

  May 2008

  S	M	T	W	T	F	S
  « Apr				Jun »
  				1	2	3
  4	5	6	7	8	9	10
  11	12	13	14	15	16	17
  18	19	20	21	22	23	24
  25	26	27	28	29	30	31

• More from this category

  • Media Ethics Issues Dominate Week’s News
  • Siemens Targets Former Execs for Failing to Stop Bribery Scandal
  • Good News, Bad News Week for Ethically Beset Defense Firm BAE
  • Corruption in Government Focus of National, International Media
  • U.K. Police Should Destroy DNA Records of Cleared Suspects: Panel
  • Regulators Say Socially Responsible Investment Firm Violated Principles
  • Microlenders Trying to Strike Ethics Balance, Reports Says
  • Congress Passes Massive Mortgage Bailout Bill
  • California Becomes First State to Ban Trans Fats in Restaurants
  • Food from Cloned Animals Is Probably Safe, but Ethics Concerns Persist
  • Archive for 'News' »

• Departments

  • Statline
  • Commentary
  • News
  • Research Report
  • Quote from the Ethics File
  • Interview
  • Book Review
  • What They're Saying
  • Letters From Readers

• Support Provided By

  

• Contributors

  • Rushworth M. Kidder, Founder and Contributor
  • Carl Hausman, Editor and Writer
  • Jeff Spaulding, Managing Editor and Contributor