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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12/19/13  11:08 am
Commenter: Teresa Shifflett: Broadway High School

Please reject this amendment and vote NO!!
 

Please trust teachers and school officials to choose books that are age and grade level appropriate for students and that provide learning opportunities.  The word "sensitive" is so broad that most traditional classic literature could fall under that category. Will we no longer teach The Great Gatsby, Of Mice and Men, or works of Shakespeare? All of these works that are taught in the High School level could easily be "sensitive" to some people.  This new amendment is asking for teachers to try to guess what is "sensitive" to others.  There is no way to predict what may or may not be sensitive.  If this amendment passes is will limit teaching opportunities of both classic and modern literature and will create unnecessary hardships for teachers.  Please respect the teaching profession and the procedures already in place to ensure appropriate literature is taught.  Please vote no on this amendment.

CommentID: 29725