DeKALB | Most students try to stay out of trouble while partying, but education majors have a little more to worry about than the average student.

A student who is an education major can be denied a teacher certification or a job if there are any negative marks on their criminal record.

Illinois state law requires that colleges perform a criminal background check on students before they can be issued a teaching certification.

“State law determines any Class-X felony prevents them from pursuing a teaching career,” said Margaret Myles, director of advising in the College of Education.

Class-X offenses may include kidnapping, rape and sexual assault, armed robbery or armed violence and manufacture or sale of narcotics. Lesser offenses such as misdemeanors that show up on a background check can also prohibit students from pursuing a career in teaching, but that decision lies with the individual college.

“If they don’t have a Class-X felony, the individual department reviews the background check and makes the decision to whether or not the student can proceed in the program,” Myles said. “It depends on the situation and information we have on the student.”

The state law still applies after the completion of school. School boards are required to conduct criminal background checks on all of its employees and often aren’t too forgiving when something shows up.

“The school district reserves the right not to employ the individual,” said Roger Scott, Huntley Middle School principal. “Some districts are so strict that you can’t even step foot into the building before the results come back.”

These laws are required because parents want to know what kind of people are dealing with their children. Parents want to know that their children are safe and are in good hands, Scott said.

Education students feel the same way about the safety issues but do not agree with all of it.

“How are they going to look at you when you’re 21 and get you for something you did when you were 18?” said Blair Smith, a sophomore history education major. “It’s hard to hold it against you when you do something when you’re young and stupid.”

Some students don’t stress over it so much, but at the same time keep it in the back of their mind.

“I don’t worry about it too much,” said Erica Osher, a sophomore elementary education major. “I’m not wild when I go out, but I still get nervous because I don’t want to get caught doing anything.”