Responding to a message by Sheila, to Leona on ...
SK>I agree that we should inform the parent if there is a problem, and it
SK>is the teacher's place to suggest that the child be evaluated, assessed
SK>or tested (pick your favorite term). Describing the behavior in neutral
SK>terms is probably best, though. I might say "short attention span" or
SK>"has difficulty concentrating" or things like that, but I wouldn't want
SK>to use the word "hyperactive". I think that the average classroom
SK>teacher (myself included) is (1) not qualified to diagnose
SK>hyperactivity, and (2) that word provokes an emotional response on the
SK>part of the parents due to so many negative connotations usually
SK>associated with it.
Although your advice is probably sound, I'm still not aware of any laws 
that make a teacher criminally negligent or liable in a civil suit if 
they should use "that" word.  I asked our vice-principal about the issue 
and, although she urged caution in what one might say, she was not aware 
of any legal limits on what a teacher could indicate to a parent about a 
child's behavior.
(I asked my VP because she has just completed her CAS in administration 
and took a course in education law just this past year.)
Chuck Beams
Fidonet - 1:2608/70
cbeams@future.dreamscape.com
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* UniQWK #5290* A cheap shot is a terrible thing to waste.
--- Maximus 2.01wb
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