How should schools handle challenges by a parent to books, videos, curriculum?

Luanne Traud:

How should schools handle challenges by a parent to books, videos, curriculum?

I come very close to being a First Amendment absolutist on this.  Schools should open doors and let students see the diversity of America, up close and personal.  With the exception of pornography and senseless voilence, not much should be put behind closed doors.  Of course, some things need to be reserved by the level of maturity needed to understand them.  Children in elementary school are not sophisticated enough to deal with many subjects, though I doubt that still applies by the time they reach high school.

Sheltering children from reality just makes them into immature adults.  Reality still intrudes at some point.

David Horn:

Luanne Traud:

How should schools handle challenges by a parent to books, videos, curriculum?

 With the exception of pornography and senseless voilence, not much should be put behind closed doors. 

Agreed, David. But, this runs into the old bug-a-boo of, " I can't define pornography, but i know it when I see it" for most people. Your reviewers/censors will have different backgrounds, moral attitudes, etc which will color their opinions. So, if the decision is anything but the opinion of the most sensitive censor, there is usually a huge moral outcry.The moral screen on our posts is an example of the problem, we can't even refer to our friend Richard by his preferred first name.

It's a touchy and tough task (WOW, unplanned illiteration!). I wouldn't want to be a reviewer.

Norb

 David - I have not read the book in question in Roanoke County. I think you made some good points on this topic though. It would be a huge mistake to overly censor materials available for the classroom. I agree that pornography and high levels of violence are not appropriate. What educators deem as worthy of the classroom should not be overly critiqued and micromanaged by others. That is not to say that parents can't play a role. In addition, parents have probably always had the ability to opt their child out of a book that they find strongly objectionable. The rest of the class should not miss an educational opportunity because of it. Regional/cultural factors come into play (especially in the "Bible Belt") and folks often see things like this from a different perspective. Administrators try to avoid controversy but at what cost? Will these same parents complain with college level books? The bottom line for educational materials should be whether they are age/grade level appropriate. Don't overly censor educational materials and tie the hands of our professional educators. Deb

Great and timely question.  The Back Cover Blog at Roanoke.com had a great post with much info and the original email from this irate father.  Good info and good discussion there.  I think this parent has an agenda and lost a real teachable moment so he could make some trouble.  Unless your foundation is straw, it cannot be huffed and puffed away.  In other words, if this father's job has been done correctly, nothing in a book will change that.

Schools should have a review board that handles these challenges and explains the value, relevance and reasoning behind leaving the book on the shelf. Period. This should NOT be a "political" football.  Knowledge is power and can be found in the oddest places.  With exceptions for gratuituous violence, sex, depravity or inhumanity, no banned books.

I agree with Mr. Horn.  I was and remain a "reader" and will read anything, but my favorite genre is "the thriller" or "who done it".  When I was a child in school I was always reading above my age level and subject matter.  I read a book about "muckrakers" and have tried to be one ever since.  The Selling of the President started my journey into political junkie land and I have never looked back.  All this BEFORE I left high school. Grapes of Wrath, Far From the Madding Crowd, Miss Marple and the Flowers in the Attic series along with Through the Glass Darkly added shape to my base soon after.

I read, Mandingo (if this book has worse than that I will burn it myself, whew!), Uncle Tom's Cabin and Valley of the Dolls before the age of 16.  All shaped me for sure and opened my poor Bedford County child eyes to a world I had never known existed.  Add in Roots and it was all over for me.

I understand any parent's concern over the appropriateness of any materials and one would expect an involved parent to know what their child is reading, discuss it with them and help frame the effects to the mores and beliefs of the parent, but that is the most control that should be exercised by the time a child is 16 IMO.

The Bible has many stories and passages that are not suitable for children and turn my stomach as well, wanna burn that one?

I grew up in a strong Christian home. However, my parents did not object to the books I read. My mom DID object to me reading in dim light, but that is beside the point. When I was in school, whenever I heard about a book that was controversial, I would immediately go out and read it. I remember reading "Catcher in the Rye" and "Lady Chatterley's Lover." I also remember sitting as my friends would read passages from Judy Bloom's "Forever" as we giggled at the naughtiness of it. Then there was the required reading, "The Good Earth" with mentions of concubines, "The Canterbury Tales" and more.

I have not read the book in question; however the concern of ONE parent should not punish the rest of the students who want to read the book. Public schools should treat books like public access television treats shows: offer as much as you can, as long as it fits the community standards. Maybe the teacher should have sent a warning home to parents. Maybe she did. Did the parents receive a list of what books their children were reading? Were there any complaints from parents of children actually IN the class?

Boo on Roanoke County schools for action taken against the teacher. 

Sandi Saunders:

I was and remain a "reader" and will read anything, but my favorite genre is "the thriller" or "who done it".  When I was a child in school I was always reading above my age level and subject matter. 

Me too. I guess it started with me with the Encyclopedia Brown series in elementary school. Then I moved on to Agatha Christie and now am into Ann Rule, Tami Hoag, Ted Dekker, and more. American Psycho... now THAT is a book that may not be appropriate for high schoolers.

Sandi Saunders:

I read, Mandingo (if this book has worse than that I will burn it myself, whew!),

I actually threw a book across the room because I hated the ending. I wanted to burn Don Quioxte after just a few pages because the character was too stupid to live. So I gave up on it.

Dern, it's been so long since I've "plugged" in that I thought surely I would have to call for help.  By now, am probably long-forgotten and though I hope there is a smidgen of memory of this senior citizen, I had to jump in for a comment or two--you can always ignore me.

David's reference to "age-appropriateness" is certainly a valid consideration, but then comes Deb's good point concerning the different and varied parental perspectives.  Norb refers to the difficulties encountered by diverse backgrounds of those involved, and Sandi's suggestion that schools "should" have a review panel is super.  I loves the inference that perhaps some Bible stories might be considered for the ax, as well.  Lisa tickled me with her inclusion of The Canterbury Tales since I could remember so well a teacher who claimed that if students only knew of the bawdiness in those tales that there wouldn't be a copy left on the library shelves.

Some of you may even remember years ago when there was a very strong effort to abolish many of the fairy tales as being much too violent! After all, that bad old wolf eating grandmother was not nice at all!

In all our considerations, we must remember, however, that public schools are the public's schools and as tax-paying contributors, each parent has the right to "question" anything he likes.  I believe, however, that most schools have in place a procedure that must be followed when a formal complaint "wants" to be heard and/or considered.  

I remember once asking our high school to please consider more upbeat and positive literature among their offerings rather than so much negativeness and despair which was a particular problem with one of the textbook companies at the time.  I was not alone, and since so many others joined in, sure enough, some goodies were added.  We went about this in a civilized fashion and presented reasonable points that we wished to be considered.  And, they were.

We can all "remember" one person who started off the effort to rid us of "God," and we all "remember" one person who took the nation to task for the reference to this deity in the Pledge of Allegiance.  None of this is new, and there will always be "one" to question the establishment or the routine, but this is not necessarily bad; it just means that we need to do a better job of communicating, perhaps.

Miss you guys but hope to be back before too long.

Betty

 Hey, Lisa - How did you like "Catcher in the Rye"? I remember it as my #1 pick at the school book fair (circa 1968) because it was so controversial. To this day, I can't understand why it is so highly regarded by so many. Like you, I came from a fairly religious household, but if my Mom caught me with a "bad" book (Valley of the Dolls comes to mind), her reaction was, "Well, if you want to waste your time with that junk, that's up to you." (She bought me Silas Marner which I put down after the first chapter.) 

I am a former reporter, so I tend to favor the First Amendment. However, in the classroom, the teacher has to be a role model for what is appropriate and acceptable language and behavior.

The #1 genre for parents to challenge is "realistic fiction," mostly novels published after 1960 when teen issues started to be portrayed realistically. (Some parents go after the Harry Potter series for "witchcraft," but the books got so many kids reading that few really care if the books are available in the school library.) The most common complaints involve obscene language and adult (usually sexual) situations. Generally, parents think the content just isn't appropriate for the grade level.

The research is very clear - tell kids that adults don't want them to read a book, and they will want to read it.

As a former HS English teacher, I was very careful in selecting books. There are three levels of book availability that have to be considered: the ones available in the library for any of the students to check out, the ones available in the individual classrooms for the students to read during free time or check out from the teacher, and the ones that are actively taught as part of the curriculum. The teacher is the one who sets the example for the last two. Some of my colleagues liked to teach "edgy" books that the kids loved. However, I think if a teacher selects a particular book, he or she is sending a distinct message about the quality and value of the reading material. Books chosen for unit study are generally approved by the curriculum specialist, reading specialist, or (more commonly) a committee of teachers and administrators, because the books have to match the curriculum and state content standards. So, there's usually a good argument already for having a "challenged" book used in a classroom.

The teacher has to choose wisely - a book that has received an award or two is a definite plus (Pulitzer, Newbery, etc.). However, there are some that have received awards from various children's literature guilds that I would never use in a classroom for whole-group study. However, those books should still be available to students to read outside of class if they wish.

I was lucky in that I only had one complaint from a parent - the child was actually an 8th grade student in a highly accelerated honors class. (The course was taught at a local college.) The offending passage was a paragraph in "Power of One." The parent called my supervisor, who (bless her) read the entire book. She called the parent back and said, "This is not only one of the finest books I've ever read, it is THE best book I have ever read."

The same rules go for videos - most schools (my former one included) bar R-rated videos anyway. There are few videos I think worthy of showing in their entirety   (October Sky is on my short list). However, I once did a unit on "heroes" and wanted to show a clip from Erin Brockovich. The movie is loaded with profanity - I showed a short segment of her picking up dead frogs with the volume turned down.  I don't know if a parent would be upset if a student went home and said I had shown a video with "the f- word," but I never took that chance.  Again, it's setting an example - it's not appropriate language for a classroom, and a teacher who permits profanity in the classroom deserves to get stung.

As a parent, I was very liberal. I frequently took my three kids to bookstores with the instructions that they could buy any books they wanted to. (Fortunately, they usually chose wisely, but I do have a rather annoying collection of "Goosebump" books.)

However, I don't think any parent has the right to ask a school library (or public library) to remove a book from the shelves. Some "controversial" but educational material dealing with sex, drugs, or politics are important for research, classwork, and just being informed. If the book is in the school library, then we can assume that a reponsible educator (e.g., a librarian) put it there for students to use.

This is a lot more than I expected to write this evening - I just logged on to see what others wrote then planned just a short response to Lisa's posting since we had "Catcher" in common . . .

Jan

Betty Price:

Dern, it's been so long since I've "plugged" in that I thought surely I would have to call for help.  By now, am probably long-forgotten and though I hope there is a smidgen of memory of this senior citizen, I had to jump in for a comment or two--you can always ignore me.

 Hi Betty - It is good to hear from you again. I knew you would have to take a break sometime and catch up with VoV!!! I hope all is going well. Deb

I thinks that schools should simply be given the authority to stand their ground, and that parents should simply get an education themselves. before they presume to challenge our educators. When I see a bunch of unpatriotic goons asserting their precious right to shield their children from their President & his message of quit playing video games & smartmouthing your teachers, but study hard & harder than hard, because your Country depends on you, then I wonder how much more are we intellectuals expected to take from a bunch of baboons who use the internet only to check NASCAR results & watch porn. As a college-educated American who is actually doing something to attract investment & jumpstart exports, I will say that I am no longer willing to be pushed around by the Great American Idiots, Morons, Imbeciles & Cretins, who for too many years, have been running the whole show & getting their way about everything whatsoever.

As a web media content producer of worldwide scope, I can only cringe at the damage that Anti-intellectual Society has done to our national reputation. That a man of my ability should even be reduced to supporting himself by taking out Society's mountains of trash, is enough of an embarassment, even without the inevitable criticism & ridicule of the President for winning the Nobel Prize. But, it is clear that you cannot win with these people. They cherish Ignorance, & they always know everything about everything.

Fortunately, some of us enjoy the privilege of bringing credit to our Flag, & this consists largely of speaking well of others. I propose, then, that we speak well of our Teachers, & close ranks in solidarity around our schools, & make it known to our Administrators that it would be perfectly OK for them to grow some backbone for once. They might do this, if they knew that they could count on the support of every thinking member of the community, rather than being Society's Fall Guy.

America has lost the Schools Race, & the lack of rigor in Math, Science, English, Spanish, & Computers will haunt our prospects for economic expansion for decades to come. However, we are faced with the question of whether we are to accept Civilization, & the tradition of the pursuit of Truth which we inherited from Ancient Greece, or whether we intend to de-evolve to a lower-than-human condition . I think, then that is the duty of every God-fearing & Patriotic American to stand up & insist on Academic Freedom for Academics, so that our Youth might discover & develop such gifts as their Creator endowed them with, that they might employ them in the advancement of Society. Anything less is simply unpatriotic, worthless, weak, & just plain sorry.

This is an interesting topic.  After Laura's wedding I'll delve into it more thoroughly.  My off-the-cuff response is simple: have a process for screening instructional materials that can be defended, then stand behind teachers who follow it, and be pepared to reprimand teachers who disregard it.  If a parent complains about an approved book, video, or lesson, invite the parent to talk with the teacher, but don't cave in.  No parent should have veto power over such matters. 

In the local case that most surely prompted this topic ("The Perks of Being a Wallflower"), the book in question was approved for the school library.  As I understand the story, one parent complained.  What caught his attention was that his high school kid was reading a book; Oh My Dog, how shocking!  Reading a book!  Apparently this was unusual.  Then the parent got curious about it, familiarized himself with the book, found it objectionable, and complained.  Again, as I understand it, the book was passed from one student to another (his son).  If that parent did not want his kid to read the book, he could have simply said so.  It was between one parent and his son. 

If a teacher plans to assign a book or show a video that is probably going to cause a stir, the teacher should weigh the benefits and risks.  If it is defensible, the prudent thing is to run it by the department head,  Then if a parent objects, the school should be understanding, polite, and firm.  "Sorry you feel that way, but learning experiences can be unsettling sometimes, and that's okay."  Parents should understand that they cannot shield their children's bodies or minds, and it is foolish to try.  It's likely to make them fragile and neurotic.

P.S. This book is one of the American Library Association's top ten controversial books.  Last week (September 26-October 3) was the ALA's "Banned Book Week."  I can't help wondering if this incident was staged for that purpose.  Btw, the list of most commonly banned books is interesting: [See List].  The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn?  Good grief!

Dave Hanson:

My off-the-cuff response is simple: have a process for screening instructional materials that can be defended, then stand behind teachers who follow it, and be pepared to reprimand teachers who disregard it.  If a parent complains about an approved book, video, or lesson, invite the parent to talk with the teacher, but don't cave in.  No parent should have veto power over such matters. 

Dave -

I like this answer - and best wishes to Laura, btw!  (I am a new grandmom - aren't these joyful milestones fabulous?!)

OK this is my official response to our homework assignment (300 word limit still - yes?)

I love having parents notice and care about what is being taught in their child's school.  Required reading should be selected to achieve specific educational objectives.  The standards and criteria for choosing instructional materials should be defensible by teachers; educators should welcome the chance to explain the purpose of their class requirements.  Hopefully, the dialogue would be civilized and respectful among parents, teachers and school administrators.  Let's involve students themselves in the discussion too!  Micromanaging every decision by a teacher would be undermining, but encouraging a reasonable amount of input gets parents involved in their children’s school – a powerful predictor of successful student achievement.

It seems that veto power should belong to the school administration (and ultimately the School Board), if the instructional choices of the teacher are not defensible and can be deemed unprofessional or unethical.  I would hope that the educators would applaud creative, dedicated teachers who succeed at getting students to read and to engage in lively debates about their books.

Parental interest in students' reading materials is a great thing, but I wish parents would spend more energy on adding books to school libraries than removing them!  School stretches children beyond the confines of our walls at home (especially those boundaries that constrain our thinking).  Peaking children's interest in reading - especially in today's world where digital information flashes before our eyes without getting thoughtful, analytical consideration  -- is SO admirable.  Getting a group of children to all read the same book and revel debating it might get some new neurons firing in the students' brains in a way that is exciting. 

Hopefully, schools could turn parental interest into a positive opportunity to get families invested in their children's educational development. 

That would be ideal! 

Jan..."However, I don't think any parent has the right to ask a school library (or public library) to remove a book from the shelves. Some "controversial" but educational material dealing with sex, drugs, or politics are important for research, classwork, and just being informed. If the book is in the school library, then we can assume that a responsible educator (e.g., a librarian) put it there for students to use.

Hey Jan. Your children are/were lucky to have a parent such as yourself to guide them. As a parent of two in High School, it is my right to question anything I so desire. I rarely have, but don't hesitate to do so. I see the school system as a system paid for by myself and the other parents, for the parents, to educate our children in the 3 R's, while we as parents put food on the table. If a parent happens to be involved enough, and cares enough to be so "tuned in" as to notice and question content, the school should be pleased, and kindly explain the "why?" it is being taught, or made available. If a parent finds his or her child reading "How to make your own crack lab" or such, there is a problem, and should be questioned. Not realistic, but perhaps you catch my drift. So there is a line to cross in the sand somewhere in grades 1-12.

 It is also my belief, it is not so much "what" we learn in the first 12 years, but the fact that we learn "how to learn." Dry subjects of any type may hurt as the student learns the material for the test, but if one can learn the "dry" stuff, they are ready to pursue any study they so desire. With the ability to learn in place, any and all material available both can be, and should be open game when moving on to the higher and self directed learning after high school.

 Lastly, show me a teacher that pushes the envelope with subject content, and I'll show you a probable great teacher that cares. There are parameters and a system in place to keep an eye on all material taught in any given district or school as a rule, and if one parent has a problem with a book, it is their right and duty to question it. However, it should be handled on a case by case manner between the school and the particular student/parent, and remedied. It is certainly not "news worthy," nor the first or last time a parent will have a concern. It is my opinion, with few exceptions, any reading is good reading, as it leads each of us to favored reading, and can open up the world and beyond if and when we desire to pursue any given endeavor. For the record, my mom, two sister's, and sister in-law all teach, and I believe those that teach are awesome. Gip 

Hello Betty!! Missed you! Mean it! Gip

PS...Take a break, you work too hard...in my opinion. Gip