Posted on 08/13/2003 10:39:22 AM PDT by countrydummy
August 13, 2003 State may regulate community-sponsored programs in schools
By Eric Eyre STAFF WRITER
Want to read a book to kids in a West Virginia school?
You might have to fill out an “educational impact form,” prove the story is “non-controversial” and ensure that it meets the state’s education goals, according to a state Department of Education proposal.
What’s more, your request will likely be scrutinized by a local school council, county school board and superintendent.
State Board of Education members want to restrict educational programs sponsored by community groups in schools.
But some community activists and education leaders say the proposed policy would have a “chilling effect” and decrease parental and community involvement.
“Certainly, there needs to be some scrutiny,” said Hazel Palmer, president of the Education Alliance, a group that promotes school-business partnerships in West Virginia. “But this is overkill, and the victim will be public involvement in public education.”
State school board members directed Department of Education administrators to draw up the new regulations after a conservative Christian group complained last year about an anti-bullying program in schools.
The West Virginia Family Association alleged that the state Attorney General’s Civil Rights Team project promoted a “homosexual agenda.” The attorney general pulled the award-winning program from schools.
Board members fumed that they didn’t know about that program and others in West Virginia schools.
They plan to talk about the proposed restrictions at a meeting this afternoon and vote on the policy next month.
State schools Deputy Superintendent Steve Paine said his agency doesn’t want to limit community, business and parental involvement.
In fact, the proposal states, “Nothing herein shall be read to prohibit activities in furtherance or business/community partnerships...”
Paine said he and other department administrators will listen to complaints and make changes if warranted.
“If there’s a way to strengthen this policy, then let it be said,” he said. “It provides a safeguard to what counties allow in schools. We’re just supporting what’s already a county decision anyway.”
The Education Alliance has established more than 2,300 partnerships between schools and businesses across the state. The group also sponsors a statewide “read-to-me day.”
Teachers and principals have always approved such activities. The new policy would switch that responsibility to county school boards or superintendents. The school’s Local School Improvement Council, which is made up of principals, teachers and parents, also would review programs.
“We read that as establishing an additional layer of bureaucracy for what should be commonsense decisions between schools and communities,” Palmer said.
Howard O’Cull, executive director of the West Virginia School Boards Association, believes that board members will support the change.
“It means that people have to have a really good program,” O’Cull said. “It puts the onus on people to sell these programs to the school boards who determine the values of the school district.”
One provision in the proposed policy requires that community-sponsored programs must be “nonpartisan and non-controversial.”
Critics say that one person could complain, making the educational program, book or business partnership controversial.
“It’s inviting censorship,” said Michael Tierney, a community organizer in Lincoln County. “It will have a real chilling effect, not only on community groups, but parents.”
Small-schools advocate Linda Martin said the state should spend its time working to increase community involvement in schools, not curbing it. Students have the most success at schools with strong community ties, research has shown.
“This is an instrument in which they can pick and choose who gets democratic rights and who doesn’t,” said Martin, who heads Challenge West Virginia, a school reform group. “It’s ludicrous.”
To contact staff writer Eric Eyre, use e-mail or call 348-4869.
BINGO! Problem solved.
Keep schools for EDUCATION, not indoctrination.
You might have to fill out an “educational impact form,” prove the story is “non-controversial” and ensure that it meets the state’s education goals, according to a state Department of Education proposal.
I wonder what will be "ok"? And the fact there will have to be a process is so scary.....yet I know dang good and well the homosexual agenda will be allowed (and you know why I know that!) but real history won't....it is too controversial!
Mine twin daughters too.
Dear Claire and Erin, I am so thankfull you graduated before this "process". Dad.
FMCDH
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