TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator M. Teresa Ruiz to require school districts to adopt policies concerning electronic communications between school employees and students enrolled in the district was approved today by the Senate Education Committee.
“We know that technology can serve as a useful education tool in the classroom, and the fact that it is rapidly evolving creates opportunities for students and teachers to improve the learning experience,” said Senator Ruiz (D-Essex). “But the increasingly expanded use of texting, social networking and other online platforms also creates the potential for confusion about proper methods of communications between teachers and students. Allowing school districts to create guidelines for electronic communications will better ensure that school employees are aware of the boundaries that exist with students and that inappropriate private interactions are not taking place.”