FINGERPRINTING OF TEACHERS

WHEREAS, the dangers to the cause of professional dignity and civil liberties in teaching have been highlighted in the New York state debate over a bill seeking to compel teachers to be fingerprinted; and

WHEREAS, the rejection of this measure in New York, but its acceptance in such areas as Dade County, Florida, emphasizes the need for sustained vigilance to repel such police state methods; and

WHEREAS, such provisions while advanced in the name of expediency can only have the effect of placing teachers in the category of criminals and further undermining confidence in the respect for public education:

RESOLVED, that this Convention of the American Federation of Teachers go on record as deploring the consideration of such undemocratic methods, and urging their unequivocal rejection.