FUROR OVER PSYCH TESTS FOR TEACHERS

By DAVID ANDREATTA Education Reporter



May 15, 2006 -- Nearly 300 city public-school educators in the last three years have been forced by principals and superintendents to undergo psychological and physical evaluations that ultimately found them competent to work, The Post has learned.
The number of so-called 2568 Exams, named after state Education Law 2568, are on pace this year to jump nearly 66 percent over three years ago, when the city began tracking the data by computer.

Since the 2003-04 school year, superintendents have ordered 510 evaluations of employees, with most of the tests to determine whether workers are mentally healthy, according to figures provided by the city Department of Education.

Of those, 297 found the subject fit, while 132, or roughly one in four, determined the subject was unfit.

Another 82 educators either resigned or retired before their results were logged.

The Education Department estimated that roughly 80 percent of those required to take exams are teachers.

While the law empowering superintendents to require school employees to take a mental exam has been on the books for decades, teacher-union leaders have taken steps this year to warn their members about the tests.



According to a recent newsletter at Beach Channel HS, the United Federation of Teachers cautioned instructors in Queens not to submit to 2568 Exams without a union representative present.

Eugene Rubin, a UFT liaison to the city Education Department's Medical Bureau, said the majority of teachers ordered to take the exams accuse their superiors of using the law as a form of harassment.

"Members, without giving any reasons or specifics, invariably say this is unjustified and there is no basis for this," Rubin said.

"It certainly can mix with harassment," he added. "I wouldn't be surprised if it were taken advantage of by some principals, but I can't verify that."

Principals must provide teachers with their reasons for requesting the exams in writing.

The reasons can range from erratic behavior toward students or colleagues to a physical ailment that appears to be hindering job performance.

david.andreatta@nypost.com