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
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1/15/14  11:18 pm
Commenter: Janet Wooldridge

Oppose Restrictions of Instructional Material
 

As a parent, writer, and graduate of Virginia's public school system I am concerned that this proposal will limit our teachers' options for instructional materal and therefore, our children's education. Please do not impose more restrictions on instructional material. Literature, history, science, and many other disciplines benefit from having a wide variety of resources available to educators and students. We live in a culture that celebrates knowledge and intellectual freedom. Our goal should be to widen our children's scope of the world, not restrict it.

I know that I learned more from teachers who gave us unique material, new to us and our limited experience which helped us learn about other cultures, experiences and realities. My eldest son will graduate in Virginia this year. He takes Advanced Placement classes, makes honor roll, and will go to one of  Virginia's colleges. He has benefitted from having many good teachers using a wide variety of instructional materials. I am concerned that his elementary-age siblings will not have the same opportunities in their future education.

CommentID: 30913