The Blue Collar Muse has this story of educators not setting proper examples and then those in charge said "oh, never mind". Message sent to the kids? Penalties? So what?
My take – set a standard. Set the expectation that the standard is to be met. And in a case like this, abusing the standard means a consequence that is kept. Message: bad decisions yield bad consequences. Think first – some consequences will last a long time.
Or should. After all "it’s for the kids!"
Education is supposed to be about learning and knowledge. Today’s education seems to be about far more than that, however. From participating in the “Who gets a seat in the Lifeboat?” scenario to curricula dealing with homosexuality, moral issues are taking up more time in schools. Unfortunately, educators often come down on the wrong side of the matter. How refreshing, then, to read about coaches shunned by the schools for their part in what became a criminal case. It would be if that had been what happened!
Lynn Lang and Milton Kirk were football coaches in Memphis, TN. An outstanding player of theirs was being recruited by top flight NCAA programs around the country. In 1999 and 2000 Lang received $150,000 in cash from Logan Young, a University of Alabama booster, to steer him to Alabama. Milton Kirk was to get a cut. When he didn’t he blew the whistle on Lang.
[snip]
But Lynn Lang’s story is the most intriguing. He initially disputed the charges before finally pleading guilty. He, too, was banned from coaching for life and had his teaching license revoked. Despite facing decades in jail, Lang was ultimately sentenced to time served (all of about a day), two years probation, Community Service and a $2,500 fine. He did not have to repay the money he received from Young although the IRS says he owes them $60,000 on the income while Lang swears he has no money left having given much of it to the player’s family.
If the story ended here we’d use it to teach kids right from wrong. But Tennessee’s State Board of Education has a different lesson plan in mind.
Go read the rest
