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  2:16 am
Commenter: S. Forester, retired teacher FCPS-parent-grandparent

I support the admendment.
 

Although I support  the admendment, I believe language more specific than "sensitive" would be preferable to avoid continued controversy.  The movie industry seems to provide the public with quite specific information for parents. Surely we as educators could do as well. As a public school teacher, I always considered parents as partners in the process of educating children.  The current procedure expects parents to read a great number of" possible"  selections to be well informed. This is an unrealistic expection for even the most conscientious parents.  Also, it is my understanding that "choice" for a student who "ops out"  is an alternate title to read, but continued attendance in class while teacher selected book is discussed.  Is this really "choice"?  I have read several of the titles on the reading list and feel that although the students being considered here are highly intelligent, their education would not be negatively affected by postponing the reading of some of the titles until they are a little older and choose to do so.  Thanks for allowing participation in the process.   

CommentID: 30557