While I am a parent and I understand people's concern's about what their children read, I cannot support this amendment. How will our students learn critical thinking skills if they are never asked to read or learn about anything that challenges them? How will they be educated citizens of Virginia and the world? Many of the "classics" deal with violence and controversial ideas and how people grapple with those issues. How will not reading these help students? 

This continues the slow erosion of trust in the educators of Virginia. When did we become the enemy? We are professionals who have years of education and yet we are not trusted? ?In a state where some many people want the government to stay out of their lives, it is ironic that this type of oversight is sought.

This, like so many other issues in Virginia education, is predicated on the idea that Virginia schools are filled with incompetent and unprofessional educators who need to be micro managed on every front. How silly. If that were true, why are we always ranked among the top public school systems in the nation?

As a parent, I already receive a list of the books my children will read in a class and the textbooks used are approved by the VBOE. It is my responsibility to review the material as a parent. If there is something that I do not want my child to read, it is my responsibility to make my voice heard. 

Finally, who gets to decide what's inappropriate or controversial? Just about anyone could be offended by anything. What will be left to teach? 

Please reject this amendment and trust your teachers, school systems, and parents to each tend to their responsibilities.