I am a teacher in Colorado, and have had several good reasons for allowing students to contact me via text message or phone call. In one recent instance, I was contacted by a student who wanted to know if we were actually meeting for a before-school jazz ensemble during a week of standardized testing. I was able to respond in the affirmative, and therefore avoided an absence.

It is my opinion that there are two main problems with forbidding electronic contact between teachers and students. The first of those is that it would really be an unworkable solution. It would be possible to assign consequences to such contact, but the school administration would still have to actually find out about the infraction. This is the same situation we have now regarding sexual abuse of students. In other words, making it illegal did not stop it from happening. People that do illegal things are very good about doing them covertly, and text messaging is very covert.

It could be argued that teachers cell phones should be monitored for this sort of behavior, but I can imagine quite a constitutional battle over that. We are already subjected to FBI background checks in many states.

The second problem with this proposal is that it doesn't get to the root of the actual problem. I honestly don't know what would cause a teacher to engage in this sort of behavior, by I'm willing to bet that it wasn't the text messaging that pushed them to the act.

I guess you could add a third reason that this would not solve the problem, and that would be the pervasive use of social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace. Really, the district would have to either monitor these accounts constantly, or forbid teachers from having these accounts in the first place. Both of those situations would be unconstitutional.

Are you kidding me!!!! I have a 14yo son and 13yo daughter and I would beat the living crap out of teachers like that if they laid a hand on either of my children!!! They're supposed to teach our children, not have sex with them....disgusting, immoral and absolutely irresponsible.

I have to agree with Scott. This is more than just about text messaging or online interaction. Adults sexually abusing children didn't start with the information highway.

In the end, it comes down to a vulnerable child and a predator. That there were two predators at the same school involved with the same student is astounding here, but how the "hook-up" was initiated in not important.

My age old question. Where are the parents? Reminds me of the old psa that used to come on in the afternoons. "It's 5:00pm, do you know where your children are?"

I agree and disagree. While this text messaging shouldn't be blamed for the inappropriate behaviors of teachers and parents, text message and online interaction are not necessary. we got by okay without it before, so we should be able to do without it again. I also am a teacher and do not find it necessary to text last minute things back and forth between students if appropriately planned for in advance. Also, parents can always be called and parents can text or call students if they wish. I as a parent would much prefer this as well.

This act is certainly sensational - a headliner of a story. But the fact is this kind of behavior is rare. The millions of children and teachers out there that have very productive relationships outweighs the sick behavior of a few. Texting and email are a given these days and , when used properly, add to our lives.

Please - why does everyone always blame the teacher or adult in these situations???? These kids - certainly this 13 year old in this situation since he was having sex with 2 teachers - know EXACTLY what they are doing. Obviously, unless there is a situation where someone was forced/raped - these people are not predators. These kids should be just as much to blame as the adults. I do blame the adults, as who would want to have sex with a 13 year old. However - I also have to blame the parents of the 13 year old - where are they? But, give me a break, person is a 13 year old boy who is probably going through puberty or already has - he is a walking hormone!!! Come on people - let's please look at the big picture here and realize that this is not the adults fault, solely. This kid knew what he was doing and what he was getting into. We have got to start holding these kids responsible for their actions, and not just the adults! It's ridiculous. This kid WILLINGLY participated in the sex.

...why does everyone always blame the teacher or adult in these situations?

Because they are, you know, the teacher and the adult. They are supposed to know better. They are supposed to exercise good judgement even when the kid doesn't or can't. That's why they've been put in a position of trust, and it's the responsibility they assumed when they accepted the position of trust.

Do I think the kids involved in these situations often know exactly what the score is? Absolutely I do. Do I think that sometimes the kids are even the instigators? Absolutely I do.

Doesn't matter.

The teachers have the responsibility to exercise good judgement. I can think of no excuse for them failing to do so.