Posted on 02/03/2005 5:53:21 PM PST by Ender Wiggin
Recently, a group of Hudson High School students and parents have charged that some teachers at HHHS, specifically in the Social Studies department, are teaching with a liberal bias and stifling the conservative students' opinions. In addition, these students have criticized the administration for violating their commitment to allow students their First Amendment rights.
This issue began with the creation of a Conservative Club at Hudson High School. The co-presidents of the new club, Chris Bowler and James Mellilo, hung posters around the school associating themselves with the High School Conservative Clubs of America (HSCCA), and included the Web site, www.hscca.orgon the posters.
School officials promptly removed the posters from the walls after discovering what they saw as violent material on the site. Bowler and others then began to speak out against the teachers and school administration.
Both Bowler and the Metrowest Daily News editor charge that teachers used the Web site as a means to tear down the posters because, supposedly, the teachers are trying to suppress the conservative viewpoint.
In an interview with Metrowest Daily News reporter Carolyn Kessel Stewart, Bowler is quoted as saying "I believe the teachers used (the Web site) as a red herring to tear down our posters."
Seemingly agreeing with Bowler, Editor Richard Lodge on the Opinion page of the MetroWest Daily News stated in his Dec. 12 commentary titled Hudson High Conservatives: "Educators (should not) be picking through political Web sites for statements they find offensive. That gives the impression that they are looking for reasons to stop the conservative students from meeting."
In reality, it was not only teachers who expressed concern over the Web site and its content. The principal of Hudson High, John Stapelfeld, noted that although some teachers approached him about the Web site, he received most of the complaints from concerned parents and other community members.
"Some publicity that got to the press didn't reflect the fact that what is my concern is the violence associated with the Web site that the Conservative Club chose to advertise," said Stapelfeld.
He also feels that the "Conservative Club does have a right to exist."
Hudson High School teachers were first attacked in a Dec. 9 letter to the HSCCA Web site written by Chris Bowler. Bowler made claims that his Advanced Placement American Studies class "turned out to be largely anti-American studies."
Bowler is also said to oppose a poster hung in the classroom of Social Studies teacher Beth Ferns. The poster is filled with quotes that negatively portray President George W. Bush. Ferns encourages her students to bring in other political posters and says that the poster is "basically to spark discussion."
Lodge wrote in his editorial that "if she really wanted to encourage free debate and make every student feel welcome to participate, she'd hang up a pro-Bush poster on her own instead of waiting for a gusty student to force the issue."
An important point that has not been raised in the letters and editorials in the MetroWest Daily News is that not all students agree with Bowler and the Conservative Club's view of teachers.
After accusations were made by Bowler in his letter to the HSCCA that teachers are biased because they are showing "Fahrenheit 9/11" to their classes, junior Roseanne LeBlanc, who took the Social Justice class at Hudson High, commented that she did not feel that her teacher, Caitlin Murphy, was biased. LeBlanc pointed out that they did not only watch "Fahrenheit 9/11" in Murphy's class, but also viewed a pro-Bush film called "Faith in the White House."
During a discussion in an American Studies class, Ashley Fitzpatrick, also a junior at Hudson High, said "that just because you feel discomfort doesn't mean your opinion is being threatened."
Her statement came after teacher Katy Field explained that "as social studies teachers, part of our job is to question students' ideas in order to force them to support their claims with evidence."
Field went on to say that some students may have misinterpreted these questions as threats to their opinions, and that students may have misconstrued the teachers' efforts to encourage critical thinking as attempts to suppress the students' ideas.
These Conservative students are raising serious questions over the professionalism of teachers without any real evidence to support that teachers are biased in their classroom. Although teachers may be openly liberal, that does not mean that they will judge students based on their opinions or that they will promote a liberal agenda in their classroom.
It's unfortunate that the only views expressed recently in the media are those of a small group of people. This is especially troubling considering that many students do not agree with the accusations this group has made against the teachers.
While the First Amendment must be protected, it's disappointing that it is being used by a minority group to bring into question the professionalism of Hudson High's teachers.
Do you really think that the teachers were concerned over "violence" contained in a web address on the poster?
Do you think that Stapelfeld, the principal, recieved compaints from "concerned parents and other community members"?
It must be noted that Lindsay Corcoran is a student at HHS, not a professional journalist. It is also to be noted that the issue was given a half page with eighth page photo of the conservative club at a meeting.
My cousin tells me that they use Howard Zinn's "history" book as a textbook, to show how openminded and unbiased that are.
They merely feel that "as social studies teachers, part of our job is to question students' ideas in order to force them to support their claims with evidence." Do the teachers support their own claims with evidence, and allow students to challenge them?
Bob, what has happened to that old Alma Matre?
Imagine what would have happened if freerepublic.com was at the bottom of the posters!!!
Conservative club meets opposition at Hudson High
http://www.hscca.org/mediaarticles/mwdndec12.html
By Carolyn Kessel Stewart / News Staff Writer
Sunday, December 12, 2004
HUDSON -- As a conservative in what he calls a liberal-filled high school, senior Chris Bowler felt like a meat-eater surrounded by judgmental vegetarians during this year's contentious presidential election season.
Bowler's said his frustration grew as teachers mocked Bush or praised "Fahrenheit 9/11" and classmates loudly proclaimed their liberal opinions in class or in the school newspaper.
"We felt ashamed to express our views," Bowler said.
To challenge the paradigm at his high school, Bowler and a friend created the school's first "conservative club," which met for the first time this week.
But as soon as Bowler and friend James Mellilo hung posters for their new after school group, school officials removed the posters because they referred to a conservative Web site they said promotes violence.
"What started out as a great idea drifted from true conservative values to reactionary," said Principal John Stapelfeld.
The Web site, www.hscca.org, was built and is maintained by a 17-year-old from California and his classmates, who started the High School Conservative Clubs of America.
The home page links to videos of recent beheadings in the Middle East and advocates "taking down the rainbow flag," a reference to homosexuals, and gun ownership for all.
Bowler said he has no violent intentions.
"I do not see anything on the Web site that promotes violence, but it does expose Islamic terrorist violence," he wrote in an e-mail. "I chose www.hscca.org so the Hudson High School Conservative Club could have credibility and a resource. I have seen their club advertised on Fox News and they have many connections to talk show hosts and could get them to come to our school."
Bowler said he had a hard time finding a teacher to sponsor his club, which he found ironic given the fact that Hudson High School was named a "First Amendment School" by the First Amendment Center in Alexandria, Va.
"I believe the teachers used (the Web site) as a red herring to tear down our posters," he said. Bowler was later told he could rehang the posters without reference to the Web site, then told he could reference the Web site.
Librarian Kathy Somerville volunteered to act as adviser to the Conservative Club and said she and other faculty were truly concerned by the mix of violence and assertion of personal opinion as fact on the Web site.
"It was disturbing to everybody," she said. "I think they have to be careful of that on this Web site.
Bowler wanted to start a conservative club instead of a young Republicans' club because he thought it would be more inclusive, he said. "The conservative view to me embraces the idea that family, faith and friendship are the strongest bonds in society and that any changes to those should be thoughtfully examined."
Stephen Bowler, Chris's father, has supported his son in challenging the school.
"I can't do anything but encourage him to stand by his convictions," he said.
Social Studies Teacher Beth Ferns is a self-proclaimed liberal Democrat teacher with a poster that drew Bowler's ire. In her classroom hangs a poster of President George W. Bush quotes such as, "If this were a dictatorship, it would be a heck of a lot easier -- just so long as I'm the dictator."
Ferns has told her students she would display other political posters if they bring them in, but so far her Bush quotes have generated more interest in politics than anything else in her class.
"It's basically to spark discussion," she said. "Who is it that leads our country? What makes them a great leader?"
Ferns said she tells students her political leanings, but also listens and provides time to discuss all sides.
"I'm not trying to tell you my way is the only way to think, your way is wrong," she said. "I think the one thing we pride ourselves in this school is teaching students to have an opinion, but have an informed opinion."
Schools have to walk a fine line, though, between allowing students expression of their beliefs and protecting the rights of a minority group.
If a club discriminates against any students, it does not have a place in the schools, she said.
"We have to be careful, speech can promote hate or ill-feelings," she said. "It's a tough line schools have to walk."
The Supreme Court limited student free speech in the Tinker v. Des Moines case in 1969 to speech that causes substantial interference with the discipline required for the operation of the school.
"Our measuring stick is whether (speech) is disruptive," Stapelfeld said. What has happened with the conservative club was confusion that quickly snowballed, he said. Ultimately, giving students more of a voice and discussion of civics, is what the school has been trying to promote.
"You can't beat the learning experience," he said.
Tim Morel said he has had a harder time finding people in his school who have what he calls "southern" values, such as being pro-war, pro-death penalty and anti-gay marriage.
"I think our school's too liberal," he said during lunch last week. "Being in Massachusetts, it's hard to find conservatives."
Lindsay Corcoran, editor of the student newspaper, "Hawk Talk," used President Bush's dictator quote in her newspaper, and then apologized for it.
She said she can understand how students like Bowler and Morel feel like minorities in the school.
"The liberal students are very outspoken. It's easy (for a liberal) to voice opinions because everyone agrees with you," she said.
The website they mentioned does have links to videos of Islamic atrocities- so I guess that justifies tearing down the posters! lol
As for linking to FR, I wonder what the reaction would be. pretty hard to find violence here, and the group that tried to brand FR as a hate site lost in court.
I think the school will soon learn of FR and this thread, though.
From reading the article and looking at the conservative club site, this has been cooking for a couple of months.
My cousin was surprised that Ms. Kutt's name was not all over the article. Don't know anything about her, you went there? What's it like?
If this teach was serious about TEACHING students to support their arguments with facts or supporting evidence, then the teach has to have the mental capacity to take the student's position and guide them through building arguments IN THE STUDENTS FAVOR.
It seems this teacher is engaging in BS of saying by beating up on conservative values she is teaching something. Executions will continue until moral improves.
Someone should get a list of all the political contributions made by these teachers and administrators.
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I agree. I've had teachers like those described. They expect you to swallow everything they hand out but- suggest that dropping the Bomb on Hiroshima was dome for other than racist, imperialist reasons, and be prepared to defend your ideas against an intense attack. With supporting documents and original signed papers, and a few live vets thrown in too.
This teaches everyone to be quiet!
"...some students may have interpreted these questions as threats to their opinions..." Yeah, maybe some, eh?
teacher Katy Field explained that "as social studies teachers, part of our job is to question students' ideas in order to force them to support their claims with evidence."
I'm sure that liberal students opinions ideas are questioned...
These Conservative students are raising serious questions over the professionalism of teachers without any real evidence to support that teachers are biased in their classroom.
And putting up ant-Bush posters is not evidence of bias?
darn html did not cut and past:
http://www.hscca.org/
Yo Ho! Seems like the second block is the "violent" one, that shows tha handouts that teachers have been dishing out.
Don't want that to get about, now do we?
Since the links you posted seem to work, I think the cat's out.
Why would liberal student's opinions be questioned? They are the same as the teacher's, if HHS is at all like the HS near me, and the one I went to also.
The whole article is so carefully worded it is funny. It seems as though a few people have gotten the totally wrong idea that we swoop down on conservatives like hawks on a mouse, we merely question them and demand evidence of their conservative claims...besides, that isn't in Zinn's book!
No, I went to HS in the next town, but I had many friends there and went in once in a while. I have a nephew there, but he pays little attention to it. Says both sides are being obstinate and playing victim.
Well that's bogus! Most high school students, when challenged by a teacher, will just shut up for fear of being penalized when grading time comes along. It's a rare student who will stand up against a teacher. So what these teachers are practicing probably seems more like intimidation to the kids. And if the teacher comes down hard on one student, how likely would it be that another student has the will to contradict the teacher.
I went over to the high school conservative club site, and they have scanned some stuff they claim the teachers hand out- seems pretty biased to me!
I am biased myself, I will admit. Having gone to high school, I tend to side with these students who claim their positions are being unfairly stifled.
I put up with similar tactics and it's hard to hold your ground. I once suggested that Castro's regime was oppressive, and I got an "extra credit" assignment on Cuba that was to be graded. If I chose to, I could use the paper to defend, with evidence, my assertions.
I played it smart and went for the grade, whacking out three pages showing beyond a doubt that all of Cubas'problems came from the embargo, and got an A, boosted my grade, and the teacher KNEW she was being ridiculed just by the sincerity of my paper. But, I did not stand up, I'll always remember that I knuckled under for a grade.
And when the kids express their views, when they offer evidence that they are being intimidated into accepting the party line, they get a whole half page article about how wrong they are, along with a picture of their faces and their names, in the local paper.
I hope they can use this as a springboard for more publicity and are not silenced.
Since they are in Massachusetts, where everyone (well, 80%) vote in Kerry, Kennedy, Frank, McGovern, and Meehan every time they run, you probably will find they all are Democrats and make contributions if any accordingly.
Wasn't Mass the only state to go for McGovern's presidentioal bid?
And then there's Mike Dukakis.
They may vote DemocRAT, but in their hearts (if they have hearts) you know their really Communists.
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