----- Original Message -----
From: "Elizabeth Bentley"
> When should students have the freedom to choose for themselves?
Do
> they have to wait until they are no longer financially dependent
on
> their parents, or does the moment come at some earlier point? If
so
> when?
>
> As someone who believes that children should be brought up to
develop
> their own independent ideas, I'm intrigued.
> EB
From: "David Triche"
Snip...................... We can not be in the position
interpreting
> what every parent approves or disapproves of. This is a matter
of judgment
> that only the parent can decide. It is our responsibility to
provide the
> widest spectrum of materials for students. I would never get
involved in
> policing the individual student book selections. This is
antithetical to
> freedom. This is solely the parents responsibility and should
not be
> infringed upon by anyone.
In regards to both of the above- I feel that one of the earlier
messages (sorry, don't recall whose)- said what I like and have
used that worked well for younger students:
Praise the parent for being caring and involved with what their
child reads. Invite them to come with their child's class (given
administrative approval) if they are younger, come before or after
school to supervise/help select materials they feel appropriate
with their child. Inform them of the problems inherent for us to
do accomplish that (aides, volunteers, systems not permitting
notes, making the child stand out from the others, definitions of
what is appropriate....). I actually acquired two excellent
volunteers this way.
If the student is older? At what age can they drop out of school
and not be required to come? When is privacy the student's right?
Personally, I signed my kids public library cards early on to
permit them to check out what ever they wanted. One of my 3 always
wanted info books that were in the "adult" area. Of course, I
usually took them to the library and read their books with them
(together or when they were older- they liked to recommend them to
me to read and discuss).
At times we would be hard pushed to decided if the parent is
censoring the readings of their young adult due to their own
narrow vision or the student's true emotional problems. I have
some parents that belong to KKK! Do I censor their kids expanding
horizons? I know we don't have KKK promotional materials!
I feel that our job is providing a well rounded, age appropriate
collection that will encourage intellectual growth. I do not want
to be the "Book Police". Perhaps if the student is older and too
fragile to handle the normal school routine, they should be in a
more protected (private school) environment?
I do believe in treating the parents as partners in their child's
education. Most of them are there because they do care, even if we
don't agree with their methods. Most of them will respond in a
positive and cooperative manner when they are treated with respect
for their concerns and let you explain why you can/can't
accommodate the request.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-------------
Katherine Mayberry, Media Specialist Minds are like
parachutes - they function best when open!
Travelers Rest High School
Travelers Rest SC 29690
kmayberr@greenville.k12.sc.us
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