As preservice teachers, we are very concerned about the proposed amendment to 8 VAC 20-720-160.  Passing this amendment would make it more difficult for teachers to find reading material that meets the educational needs of students and is of interest to them. The amendment would also encourage salacious reading habits. Teachers do not have the time to examine every article or book students might want to read to identify anything possibly objectionable; because of time constraints, we fear that teachers would simply assign whatever titles are least controversial rather than assigning reading that is purposeful and engaging. If teachers did spend hours examining every title and identifying all potentially sensitive information in their syllabi, it would simply encourage students to read avidly looking for possibly “dirty” material. This amendment would not promote the kind of reading and thinking habits we want our students to develop, and it would limit the effectiveness of teachers.

Katharine Bower
Lester Anderson
Elizabeth Smith
Megan Martin
Christie Baer
Dannielle Langley
Sydni Johnson
Sarah Flippen
Monika Gutierrez
Kara Broene
Janel Brimm
Emily Staib
Anrew Scoles
Ashley Gaunt
Alexis Drewer
Kelsey Paulus
Mary Nunnally
Amberlynn Coleman
Addison Reekes
Dana Peagler
Shannon Opie
Cassidy Phillips
Andrew Williams
Emily Waller
Amanda Lacombe
Brittany Ferguson
Cristina Mendoza
Sarah Traylor
Jamie Hobgood
Danie Wier
Genny Ruff
Christina Lynn
Allyson Fair
Amanda Stuckey
Emily Hughes
Kristin Martinolich
Ashley Bertram
Devon Johnson
Spencer Neiderlander
Ariel Sharp
Gabrielle Spain
Samantha Richards
Kimberly Wilmouth
Amanda Eberhard
Hannah Peterkin
Karl Westerhoff
Kathryn Goodwin
Catherine McCormick
Champaine Battle
Annah Wise
Bethany Walton
Elizabeth Harvey