25.3(6) Standard VI-unethical practice toward other members of the profession, parents, students, and the community. Violation of this standard includes: f. Soliciting students or parents of students to purchase equipment, supplies, or services from the practitioner for the practitioner's personal advantage.

Recently, in the Ankeny School district and in many other school districts throughout Iowa, teachers were told that they cannot tutor children within the same district that they teach in.  This interpretation of the rule (made by the Board of Education Examiners) was not given to all school districts in a timely manner, therefore, making it very difficult for teachers, parents and children to prepare for summer tutoring.  From what I understand the reasoning behind this is because the Board of Education Examiners feel that this is an example of teachers soliciting parents.

In my personal case, this is completely false.  I got a copy of Ankeny tutors from the school (none were recommended or not recommended - in fact the school listing stated no one was recommended, this is only a source of information for parents), I did my own background and reference check and chose who I felt would be the best fit for us.  A second grade teacher within the same school system, but at a different school.  This allowed my son to develop a friendlier relationship with the tutor, than if it were a teacher within his own school.  It also ensured that the person tutoring him would know what things were essential to his education for the coming year.  Unfortunately, 6 weeks into the tutoring, she received a letter from HR stating that she must stop tutoring or may be in danger of losing her teaching license.   

Our teachers should not be penalized for wanting to help out our children.  We, as parents should be allowed to choose whom ever we feel is capable and competent to tutor our children.  Most of all, our children who need this help, should not be penalized because the tutor is in the same district as them, especially when a teacher for the same district could be the best source of information for that student.

UPDATE: on June 30, 2010 I received an email from the Iowa BOEE - this email told me that Iowa School Districts were allowed to conduct business as usual until August 13, 2010.  Then the Iowa BOEE will have a meeting to decide about this ruling.  I forwarded this email to the Ankeny School District, as this is completely different from what they were told and what I was told from the BOEE, just the day before.  The Ankeny School District is looking into it. 

Please keep looking and signing the petition - this is still an issue that people need to be made aware of.  Hopefully if enough people express their opinion the Iowa BOEE will not put this ruling into effect.