Report: Teacher Misconduct on the Rise in the DOE

More than double the number of cases of teacher misconduct were reported last year compared to 2002, according to the office of the Special Commissioner of Investigation for the New York City Department of Education, reports The New York Times.

In fact, according to a special report, more than 4,000 complaints filed by against teachers and DOE workers resulted in 795 investigations, 247 of which were substantiated.

And of those that were substantiated, 57 centered on accusations of sexual misconduct by school employees-- an overall 20 percent reported increase.

The other 80 percent increase could be found in incidents of fraud amongst DOE employees, test-tampering, theft of money and time, conflicts of interest and other wrongdoing.

Commissioner of Investigation Richard Condon said the increase could be attributed to a number of things, including the use of the Web, which allows for easier reporting, and also a general raised awareness surrounding signs of misconduct and possible criminal behavior.

Teachers convicted of a sexual crime are usually fired, but those accused of noncriminal behavior are entitled to a hearing if the schools chancellor, Dennis Walcott still wants to fire them.

Walcott last year began lobbying for the power to fire teachers even if an independent hearing officer decides they should stay on the job. So far, he has been unsuccessful.