Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Education
 
Board
State Board of Education
 
chapter
Regulations Governing Local School Boards and School Divisions [8 VAC 20 ‑ 720]
Action Amendments Regarding Use of Controversial or Sensitive Instructional Materials
Stage NOIRA
Comment Period Ended on 1/15/2014
spacer
Previous Comment     Next Comment     Back to List of Comments
1/15/14  10:18 am
Commenter: Julie Call, Charlottesville City Schools

Reject this ammendment
 

The semantics of the ammendment leave much to be discussed. Who decides what constitutes "sensitive" material? What may be sensitive to one family may be the realities of life to another. 

My students get to do a lot of free choice reading in my class. Many are picking up books for the first time and truly reading them. One might say that the material in some of these books is "sensitive". It would be nearly impossible to send home notices about every book in my classroom library that has some sort of "offensive" material.  I would hope that the parents of my students initiate authentic dialogue with their children over what is read in class. 

There is absolutely no need to create a government regulation over what, when, and how teachers notify parents regarding books. Please trust that your teachers are highly-trained professionals who already create detailed syllabi, have open discussion with parents, and are knowledgable of best practices in teaching. 

CommentID: 30641