A small but loud minority of parents combined with reactionary school administrators caused these school districts to take these unprecedented steps. At no other time in history, have they taken this sort of action in preparation of an elected official speaking to children. While the school administrators were obviously feeling some pressure from some parents, this sort of mob rule cannot drive all decisions. At some point, common sense and dedication to the mission must weigh into the decision-making process.
While some districts may have seen offering an opt-out option as a compromise, it only compromised their credibility with more sensible parents, students, and the greater community. It encouraged too many parents to treat this opt out form as another opportunity to vote in the 2008 election, rather than an opportunity to make a good education decision. That's why school districts must lead, rather than be led around at knife point. These districts could have easily cited precedent, stating that their longstanding policy has been to allow community leaders into the classroom without permission due to the benign nature of their message. After all, they are charged with advancing the education of their students and cannot be expected to have parents weigh in on every decision. It is their duty to stand up for these principles and provide educational leadership. Yet, they took the easy and less courageous route in this case.
We can learn a lot from the high school students who are sadly, more mature than the parents and school administrators who sought to censor the message.
Magnolia High School Junior Matt Korman:
“I am just one of the many who feel like this is not right and unfair to the student body of not only MHS, but to all kids of MISD,” Korman said. “I do not understand why we are not allowed to watch a presidential address to the students of America, that is, after all, about us and how to set educational goals and to take action in our learning.” Korman read the advance script of the president’s remarks released Monday and said it was not “overreaching in trying to indoctrinate young, impressionable minds.” “We have brains of our own,” Korman said. “We form our own opinions. … I believe your actions were premature and more politically driven and I am extremely disappointed as a student.”Oak Ridge High School Senior Dani Myers:
“President Obama delivered an important message,” “We need to listen to what the president says. He cares about our future.”Montgomery, Willis, New Caney, and Splendora ISD should do the right thing and show the President's address in the classroom to all students, without restriction. Otherwise, their credibility as a objective, fact-based, education-oriented institution is greatly at risk.
Source: The Courier 9/9/09
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It is not the role of any President to address school students on any subject unless invited by that school board in line with perental approval.
ReplyDeleteCISD is the the one holding taxpayers hostage, not the other way around beit at knife or otherwise.
CISD Board and Administrators seem to be a law unto themselves and barely relect the will of taxpayers, demonstrated by there almost complete lack of knowledge of details of spending and borrowing in the district.