Edward Lyons:

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...

...Fortunately, some of us enjoy the privilege of bringing credit to our Flag, & this consists largely of speaking well of others.

Luanne Traud:

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

Wait -- I just thought of an exception:  Sometimes people with unorthodox views gain teaching credentials.  Occasionally the teaching profession is infiltrated by people who are -- how shall I say this? -- "less than friendly" toward the popularly accepted ideas of globalism, global warming, climate change, statism, socialism, pantheism/atheism, inclusivism, and the attitude that says any attitude is acceptable except the attitude that doesn't accept our acceptance of almost all attitudes.  These unorthodox teachers may properly be opposed at every opportunity, ideally opposed completely out of the system.  A purely professional education system must be administered by professionals, and any teacher who believes differently is not professional.

But other than that one exception, it is the duty of parents to just shut up and send their little darlings off to the guv'mint schools where they can be properly cleansed of the tripe they no doubt are being taught at home.  Stuff like religion (you know, that "Supreme Being" kind -- any other religion is okay), respect for elders, value judgments, the archaic idea that some things are intrinsically bad or good -- all these and many other out-dated and obsolete ideas must be eliminated if society is to advance.  No, child rearing is just too important to be entrusted to parents.  Only government professionals  are qualified, and their decisions must never be questioned by amateurs. 

Clonnie Yearout:

But other than that one exception, it is the duty of parents to just shut up and send their little darlings off to the guv'mint schools where they can be properly cleansed of the tripe they no doubt are being taught at home.  Stuff like religion (you know, that "Supreme Being" kind -- any other religion is okay), respect for elders, value judgments, the archaic idea that some things are intrinsically bad or good -- all these and many other out-dated and obsolete ideas must be eliminated if society is to advance.  No, child rearing is just too important to be entrusted to parents.  Only government professionals  are qualified, and their decisions must never be questioned by amateurs. 

 

 Clonnie,

Glad to see you back in good form....

Of course, we all see what a great success our guv'mint has been at educating our children!!

Edward Lyons:

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.

Edward,

Obviously you haven't run into some of the people in the teaching profession who need to get an education themselves.  I agree most of them are good professionals, but I have encountered some who simply didn't have a clue.

While there is a fine line between parental interference and oversight, parents do need to have input into the education process.  That input involves more than just being bodies to be called upon through the PTA to work fund raisers and do other chores to help the teachers/schools.  There really are some values that need to be taught in school, or at least not destroy the ones that hopefully are being taught at home.

Edward..."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."

Hey Edward. You bring up some fascinating points to ponder. If I may be so bold sir, I am slightly miffed at your delicate insinuation "parents" are useless. Slightly miffed I say! Please forgive me. Your friend always, and may peace be with you. Gip

Gibson Brown:

I aspire to be so educated that "intellectuals" such as yourself won't look down on me with such venom.

Furthermore, when you state "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," I take offense to that, and deem you to be in need of learning the art of relaxing.

 Gip -

I agree with your response to Ed Lyons' post (which feels like a rant ... and therefore less persuasive than - yes, an answer that is more relaxed, as in using less hyperbole).  I like your invitation to the art of relaxing.  In a more congenial atmosphere people can and do learn from each other.  Education comes in LOTS of forms... I know folks think a PhD really stands for Pile it Higher and Deeper!  AND I too often had to agree on the basis of a few I know... hopefully, not me... but I certainly don't think any degree equates intelligence nor do more degrees!  It just reflects a tolerance for doing academic work and in my case - a real joy of learning about the psychology of learning and child development.

I have learned the most from reasonable dialogues - from you smart people with whom I get to exchange ideas - so I can adjust my thinking in new ways with different perspectives.  That's what the VOV is about and a great teacher taps into the many forms of intelligence in his/her classroom and gets children learning from one another.  A lively exchange on a book we have all read stimulates new neurons to fire in those students brains - it is exciting!  I love parental involvement in children's schools - I just wouldn't ever want to hamper a dedicated, creative teacher from being able to help children learn how to think more analytically and creatively.

Gibson Brown:

You seem to enjoy stereotyping. As one of the "unpatriotic goons" you speak of, I find your slant offensive and arrogant. Pardon me if I do not salute and fall down in awe of your "college education.

Gib,

Once again you have responded well to an arrogant and offensive post.  Thanks, and I agree with you.

Oh, this is an easy one!  The school is always right and the parent is always wrong.  There.  Educators are professionals, right?  Are parents professionals?  Of course not.  Whoever heard of a professional parent?  Ergo, the parent (amateur) has no right to question any material presented by the (professional) teacher. 

Wait -- I just thought of an exception:  Sometimes people with unorthodox views gain teaching credentials.  Occasionally the teaching profession is infiltrated by people who are -- how shall I say this? -- "less than friendly" toward the popularly accepted ideas of globalism, global warming, climate change, statism, socialism, pantheism/atheism, inclusivism, and the attitude that says any attitude is acceptable except the attitude that doesn't accept our acceptance of almost all attitudes.  These unorthodox teachers may properly be opposed at every opportunity, ideally opposed completely out of the system.  A purely professional education system must be administered by professionals, and any teacher who believes differently is not professional.

But other than that one exception, it is the duty of parents to just shut up and send their little darlings off to the guv'mint schools where they can be properly cleansed of the tripe they no doubt are being taught at home.  Stuff like religion (you know, that "Supreme Being" kind -- any other religion is okay), respect for elders, value judgments, the archaic idea that some things are intrinsically bad or good -- all these and many other out-dated and obsolete ideas must be eliminated if society is to advance.  No, child rearing is just too important to be entrusted to parents.  Only government professionals  are qualified, and their decisions must never be questioned by amateurs.   Clonnie

Hey, Clonnie--did your tongue poke a hole in your cheek on this one?  Cute.

Betty

Cheri Hartman:

A lively exchange on a book we have all read stimulates new neurons to fire in those students brains - it is exciting!  I love parental involvement in children's schools - I just wouldn't ever want to hamper a dedicated, creative teacher from being able to help children learn how to think more analytically and creatively.

Cheri,

Thanks for your comments and for recognizing that parental involvement in schools is a good thing.

Betty Price:

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.

 Betty,

I love THIS example of how to get positively involved in what is being read at school and what is available in the library!  Adding positives to the mix instead of focusing on removing what we might judge as unsavory... is such a terrific approach.  I remember Crystal Spring
Elementary School welcomed active parental involvement in adding books to the library, inviting parents in to use the library - especially on certain designated family reading nights.  The focus on reading can be productive with this  kind of approach.

It so great to hear from you again, Betty!

Dave Hanson:

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 prepared 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,

Congratulations on Laura's wedding! I hope we get pictures again. Sorry it is a rainy day. Ken and I had a rainy day and it is considered good luck by some--has been for us!

I like your initial response of having a screening process for instructional materials. I think there could be a committee appointed by school division administrators comprised of educators and a few parent and community reps for balance. (It may already be done this way.) I was on a Roanoke Co. attendance committee once that had a similar composition. Once decisions are made, schools should feel that they have listened to many views, have selected quality grade-level appropriate materials, and are inoculated against surprise complaints--can easily defend themselves should the need arise. 

Deb

Cheri Hartman:

(I am a new grandmom - aren't these joyful milestones fabulous?!)

Congratulations Cheri and Dave!!!!!!!

Cheri Hartman:

a great teacher taps into the many forms of intelligence in his/her classroom and gets children learning from one another.  A lively exchange on a book we have all read stimulates new neurons to fire in those students brains - it is exciting!  I love parental involvement in children's schools - I just wouldn't ever want to hamper a dedicated, creative teacher from being able to help children learn how to think more analytically and creatively.

Very well said Cheri! I agree. It can be a balancing act for administrators can't it? We all want parent involvement in our schools. Education is a collaboration among parents and educators. Our National PTA is a testament to that very successful partnership and all that parents and teachers have accomplished together. As I have said before, I just don't want to overly censor and tie the hands of our educators. I won't repeat myself, but I mentioned to Dave a way for a parent/teacher joint effort to screen books and materials.Deb 

Clonnie Yearout:

Only government professionals are qualified, and their decisions must never be questioned by amateurs.