Action | Amendments Regarding Use of Controversial or Sensitive Instructional Materials |
Stage | NOIRA |
Comment Period | Ended on 1/15/2014 |
As a parent, I understand where parents' concerns are coming from. However, what I consider "Sensitive" and "controversial" might be different from other families. Who is going to make this judgment? I don't want someone else deciding for my child. I've taught in VA's public schools for over 15 years. I taught high school English for 7 years and in my last year, had a parent contest my use of The Color Purple with an eleventh grade Honors English class. As a librarian, I constantly hear stories of parents who don't like a certain book or author. Each school should have a procedure in place for parental concerns. I do not think requiring teachers to post when they're going to use a "sensitive" piece of literature is going to help, it's just going to increase censorship in our schools. I believe as educators it is our responsibility to teach students using good literature and also about free speech and our rights and responsibilities as citizens. I feel this is a bad idea, and I vote.