Reporter: Associated Press Email

Student Teachers' Backgrounds Often Go Unchecked

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- Many student teachers are making their way into Kansas classrooms without undergoing the same background checks required of seasoned teachers.

No checks are required. And colleges and universities vary widely in the checks they conduct before placing students in schools.

At one end, the University of Kansas requires its students to undergo the same checks required to be licensed. The process includes being fingerprinted.

But other schools require less stringent check. Emporia State University asks students to self report legal problems.

The Auburn-Washburn school district in the Topeka area has decided to begin conducting checks of potential student teachers in January.

But many districts don't conduct similar checks, assuming the universities have an adequate screening process.

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