Dorsey Teacher Calls Article on Coercion an Invasion of Privacy

Regarding your article on coercion at Dorsey High [Jan. 4], I can’t believe that The Times can be that cruel. To hold a student up to ridicule in the manner shown is simply unacceptable to me. I feel it is an invasion of his privacy, and mine.

Consider this: A student goes on a crime spree, may even kill or commit serious harm to others. Once apprehended, the student’s identity remains anonymous. Sometimes this may put the general population at risk. Why then, would you embarrass a family whose son is only guilty of not having perfect grades?

The subject of your article is not yet 18 years of age. I cannot believe your actions are legal. They are certainly unethical. I gave no one any permission to use my name or information they thought they had gleaned from my utterances to attack either a student, or anyone else.

The student named in your article up to this point has been attending my class and making a solid effort, but with some attitudinal problems. I want his performance to continue. I thought I had it on an upswing. Any grade decided upon by me in the evaluation of a student is between that student, his family, and me. If they give up the rights to their privacy, fine, but I cannot believe any family would agree to such use of their son’s school record, and likeness.

We may discuss some credible issues here. The student is a senior. His entire schedule is published. The only question you raise is the upward movement of a couple of 10-week grades, which were in fact progress reports. I would like to know where and how the documents were obtained? Let us get this straight. The teachers involved are not complaining, a third party is.

I am not aware of anything that would taint the basketball program. If I were, the first person I would talk to would be Coach Gibson. Since The Times won’t say it, let it be said here. I was asked by [reporter Greg] Sandoval, “Did Coach Gibson ask you to change this grade?” The answer was immediate and emphatic, “no.” I was then asked, “Did the JV coach ask you to change the grade?” Again the answer was “no.”

I finally told him, “No one connected with the basketball team ever approached me regarding this student or anyone’s grades.” I hope the matter is cleared up quickly. Why punish the team, for actions that had nothing to do with either the coach or the team?

JOHNNY E. TURNER

Mathematics Department

Dorsey High School