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  6:59 pm
Commenter: Rachel Unkefer

Censorship is not an educational strategy
 

Books and other materials should be chosen based on their educational value. In order to insure our next generation of Virginians is well educated, we must expose them to a variety of opinions and artistic visions. Otherwise we are severely restricting how far they will go in life. If teachers must "inform" parents every time a "sensitive" topic is discussed, we are opening the door for the parents with the narrowest worldview to veto anything and everything. This is no way to run a school system. We cannot expect teachers to poll parents about what they want their children to be taught. We hire teachers to use their judgement. If we don't trust that judgement, then we should not hire that person. If parents want to control what their children are exposed to, they should consider homeschooling.

CommentID: 30836