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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1/10/14  9:40 am
Commenter: William F. Finocchio

Amendment to the Regulations Establishing Standards for Public Schools
 

I do not support the VBE revision of the rule governing the use of sensitive or controversial material.  The wording is vague and unsupportable.  Please tell me who will decide what is controversial or sensitive material.  Will each individual teacher make this determination?  Will each district determine what is offensive material?  If so, what are the specific guidelines that VBE will provide a teacher/district to use determine what is sensitive or what is controversial?  Will the VBE provide a list of these controversial books/materials to teachers/districts?  It appears to me the the VBE is rolling over to accomodate "public sensitivites" without providing a specific policy.  The Board of Education is providing just enough rope for teachers to hang themselves while trying to be politically correct to everyone.  Teachers and  parents have taken actions to provide alternative materials and that seems to work just fine. This is just another example over reaction and "Big Brother" approach to accommodate the few. 

CommentID: 29957