Reading assignments cause debate, concern
By: JENNIFER KABBANY - Staff Writer | ∞
TEMECULA ---- High school teachers have long walked the line between challenging their students to become independent, critical thinkers and respecting their parents' beliefs on what are acceptable topics for teenagers.
That invisible line is especially evident in reading assignments, in which subjectivity is inherent.
With historic, and sometimes local, controversies arising from classics such as J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye," it's not surprising that some disagreements have also been generated by lesser known and lesser heralded works of literacy assigned to Temecula students in the last few years.
Three such edgy reading assignments proffered by Temecula Valley Unified School District teachers illustrate how some parents and trustees believe classwork can go too far.
Most recently, parent Rick Reiss said he became upset and frustrated when he discovered his daughter, a 15-year-old sophomore attending Temecula Valley High School, was given an essay assignment on prison reform during Thanksgiving break.
What frustrated him was not necessarily the topic of the essay, he said, but the backup reading sources distributed by her English teacher to aid in the essay's research, a long list of Internet sites that Reiss contends was not only one-sided, but included an article discussing inmate sodomy.
"I am not a Bible thumper, but before my kids are exposed to subjects like prison sodomy, I think I should have some say," he said. "My other concern was the materials he provided ---- that prisons are crime factories and officers are brutal and corrupt. I never saw anything in his handouts that gives the other side, that shows why it's important to have jails in our society."
Admittedly, Reiss said he has a bias too; he has worked in prisons since 1989. He questioned who has oversight of such reading material, and who is keeping an eye on the teachers.
Ultimately, at a meeting with the teacher and a school administrator in early December, Reiss said it was agreed that in the future the article mentioning sodomy would be scrapped, and others offering a law-and-order perspective would be added to the handout of Internet research articles.
While basic textbooks and other instructional materials must be approved by trustees, unapproved resources can be used by individual teachers, depending on the needs and interests of their students, district spokeswoman Melanie Norton said.
In other words, teachers do have the discretion to use what they want in class.
That falls in line with what the state education code allows, too.
The California Department of Education's "Standards for Evaluating Instructional Materials for Social Content" states that teachers must make qualitative judgments on classical or contemporary literature when choosing their reading assignments.
While the regulations call for materials to "accurately and equitably" portray the cultural and racial diversity of American society; the male and female roles; and the contributions of minority groups and males and females to the development of California and the United States, "complete compliance with the guidelines may be inappropriate in some cases."
"Day-to-day instruction is the responsibly of the local school district," said Tom Adams, the department of education's director of curriculum frameworks and instructional resources.
The department often fields complaints from parents concerned over what their child read or was assigned, but most of those calls are directed back to the respective local school board, he said.
"We encourage a dialogue at the local level," he said.
Temecula school district administrators ask teachers to share any unapproved secondary materials they use in the classroom with their department heads and principals. As much as possible, those materials are then shared with district officials and the governing board, Norton said.
Oversight can also go the other way.
Trustees have been known to step in if they find something offensive, as was the case recently when the book, "Baal, A Man's Man, The Elephant Calf: Early Plays by Bertolt Brecht" was presented for approval in September for an advanced drama class at Great Oak High School.
One of the plays, "Baal," deals with, among other topics, paganism, homosexuality and a stance against conformity, according to the book's prologue. An Internet description of the book described it as providing insight into Brecht's dramatic techniques prior to his "decisive embrace of Marxism."
The book was pulled from the agenda and never voted on, and teachers even agreed it was a poor choice upon further review, according to district officials.
Such safety nets are not always in place.
The district is now defending itself against a sexual harassment lawsuit filed after a former Great Oak High School teacher asked students to read out loud in class a book by comedian George Carlin. The book had sexually explicit content and derogatory phrases about women, among other contentions.
One of the students asked to read the book aloud, and her parents, filed the lawsuit.
In legal documents, the teacher said the assignment was part of an attempt to teach students about "ethos," defined as the characteristic and distinguishing attitudes of a person or group.
The teacher was disciplined for the assignment, Norton said.
That lawsuit continues to wind its way through the legal system.
Peter Eliasberg, managing attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, said teachers today are wary of what they provide as reading assignments for fear it might upset the sensibilities of their students' parents.
While parental objections can have merit, the concerns often stem from them simply not wanting their children exposed to viewpoints other than the ones promulgated in the home, he said.
"I think there is no question that most certainly everybody but the strongest-willed teacher does say to himself or herself, 'I may want to teach this,' but may back away because of concerns," Eliasberg said. "Teachers have a hard job."
He said that as long as educators can defend their decisions with integrity and logic, and a basis in academics, they should be fine.
Such is the case for Chaparral High School English teacher Scott Carey, who said he continues to get a few complaints from parents when he assigns the classic American novel, "The Catcher in the Rye," which includes profanity, discusses sexuality and teenage angst.
According to the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom, it was the 13th most frequently challenged book of the 1990s. Others on the list includes "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou, "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain and "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck.
More recently published books on the list includes "Heather Has Two Mommies" by Leslea Newman and the "Harry Potter" books by J.K. Rowling.
Carey said he offers an alternative assignment for "The Catcher in the Rye" for students or parents who might be offended.
"Some people are upset, and I think they have every right to be," he said. "But if you are going to judge a book by one phrase, that's pretty shortsighted."
Contact staff writer Jennifer Kabbany at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2625, or jkabbany@californian.com.
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Herbert wrote on Jan 21, 2007 2:35 AM:This is exactly the reason that those who can afford it send their children to private schools, along with the fact that in private schools children receive a better education.
About Time! wrote on Jan 21, 2007 8:34 AM:Its about time the district starts looking into the 'literature' assigned by these teachers and when projects are assigned. By law, teachers have to be available at all times during the assignment period to answer questions and direct the students. Scott Carey and the other AP teachers routinely assign 'busy' reading over long holiday periods (even summer assignments that are due the first day school resumes). This cuts into the time that the district wants parents to utilize for family vacations. What results is students taking backpack loads of homework onto planes and forces the kids to stay behind and complete the busy work while the rest of the family proceeds with their vacation. To add insult to injury, the projects are never graded or worse, skimmed by the instructors and given an 'complete' grade. How insulting to both the parent and the students! Further, one AP teacher actually assigned the Bible as summer reading. This was an insult to every other religion which was present in that class, including Muslim, Wicken, Judish, Buddha, etc. These teachers are supposed to be using every Monday as 'collaberation' time between other teachers. That hasn't happened. One teacher assigns one book and another teacher assigns a different book. They then force the students to purchase the books to complete the assignments, because 1. the district refuses to buy the books and 2. there isn't enough books in the library for the whole class. The entire English department for TVUSD needs to be closely scrutinized and reigned in. They are getting out of control.
Stephanie wrote on Jan 21, 2007 8:54 AM:Remember when everyone thought the world was flat? That was a mistaken paradigm, just as thinking that prisons, jails, juvenile halls do one thing to reduce crime. This father should be thankful that his daughter is receiving education about the truth of the matter. Locking people in cages is a cruel practice from the dark ages that has never prevented crime. Certainly there are people who should be removed from society due to their extreme mental illness. But they should be in hospitals where they can be healed. It is IMPOSSIBLE to punish the mental illness out of people. I'm going with the teacher on this one and hope that they can stop this practice from the dark ages and bring in something more effective - restorative justice. People should ask themselves "Who told me locking people in cages was a good idea?" It's time for our society to get smart on crime and focus on education and prevention of substance abuse and mental illness, support of our young people. There are 3 million people in California connected to a state prisoner not including federal prisoners, those in juvenile hall or jails. They are certainly getting a real world education about abuses in prisons and the fact that they are in fact, crime factories. If his daughter doesn't learn it in her books, she will certainly learn it from the students sitting next to her, many of whom are being reared in a prison or a foster home. Time for the dad to educate himself if he thinks jails and prisons are doing any good at all
Angry Dad in Temecula wrote on Jan 21, 2007 10:28 AM:This is another example why our public school systems are failing students and parents. It's sickening when teachers with political agendas force their viewpoints on a captive audience of politically naive high school students. When teachers engage in this type of activity it is nothing more than politcal indoctrination and brainwashing. This is just another form of child abuse and the teachers involved need to be disciplined.
To Stephanie: wrote on Jan 21, 2007 11:41 AM:Your bleeding heart hug-a-thug approach to crime would endanger us all. Locking up criminals quantifiably does reduce crime because an incarcerated rapist, pedophile and/or gangster CANNOT commit more crimes against the public. Instead of feeling so sorry for the thugs locked up in prisons, maybe you should give some sympathy to the victims of these cold blooded killers and sex offenders. Better yet Stephanie, maybe you should put your money where your mouth is and offer your home to paroled rapists and gangbangers. This way you can experience first hand the fallacy of your restorative justice approach to crime. Come on Stephanie, it's time to step up. Offer your house as a boarding home for these ex-convicts. Once you do, contact the newspaper so they can write an expose on you and your fantasyland home for ex-felons.
To Stephanie wrote on Jan 21, 2007 11:55 AM:Not all those jailed are suffering from mental illness. If you do not want these convicted criminals in prison, then why don't you invite them into your home? I agree with Mr. Reiss and I agree with "Angry Dad". I, for one, do not want my children having the left-wing, liberal agenda thrust upon them while the teachers have a captive audience. I am always amazed when my children come and they tell me about some of the inappropriate conversations held in the classroom between teacher and students. I admit that it doesn't occur frequently but nonetheless I often wonder "what was this teacher thinking?" I give credit to the majority of the educators though because you do have a tough job and I would not want to be in your shoes. But, there are some who leave a LOT to be desired.
Den wrote on Jan 21, 2007 12:12 PM:"Remember when everyone thought the world was flat?" Remember when liberal ideas were one though as smart? The lesson is that teachers have NO right to expose their students with their politcal agenda. It's brainwashing paid for by taxpayer dollars and that's unethical.
SLM wrote on Jan 21, 2007 12:26 PM:To About Time: Hm. I distinctly remember having papers and reading assigned over breaks in collge---standard practice at rigorous universities. Thank goodness I had AP teachers who prepared me for such rigor and expectation. In fact, I often wrote to them from college with my appreciation. On the other hand, I agree with you that the Bible should not be assigned unless the student is asked to think critically about that piece of literature and to question its arguments. Finally, "collaboration" is not (and should not be) synonymous with "lock-step." Teaching is a creative profession, and teachers should retain the professional right and courtesy to determine the themes of their own courses, within the boundaries of the state content standards of course.
this wrote on Jan 21, 2007 2:44 PM:discussion is great. its nice to know teacher's are still challenging their students. and its a relief to know that there are parents out there who are involved with what their kids are learning. both sides are doing a benefit to public education and social boundaries.
jlbuchanan wrote on Jan 21, 2007 9:29 PM:Reading causes debate. Stephanie, I totally agree with you. People are just naive to the system. Our youth have every right to know the truth. If parents want to keep it in the dark, then they should put them in private school at their expense, not ours. Prevention is the key. We need to educate and listen to our young people. California is indeed out of step with their sentencing laws and rehabilitation. These parents should be screaming like hell because instead of spending money on our future Californians, we are spending millions and millions to over pay guards and build more prisons to warehouse our young.
Shella wrote on Jan 21, 2007 10:10 PM:I am a teacher and I know that no matter what a teacher does, there will be complaints. I have also witnessed children who come from restrictive families rebelling and going EXACTLY where the parents DON'T want them to go because the parent spent so much time "shielding" them from the world and/or telling them how to think. I applaud the teacher for giving the students the opportunity to see that this supposed world of prisons really isn't exactly as the general public believes. How do I know? I used to teach in a juvenile corrections facility. That teacher was 100% on the mark - I think it is crucial for teachers to continue to challenge "comfortable" viewpoints in these developing minds - to encourage these children to learn to think for themselves and to question "accepted" viewpoints. Accepted doesn't make it right.
Kim wrote on Jan 22, 2007 1:38 AM:When treating a human being like an animal is considered correction & acceptable then the world is flat. They way these jail & prisons are run in CA is only promoting more crime because 90% of those in prison are low level non-violent offenders who should have ALTERNATIVE sentencing rather than be stuck in an unsafe environment with the REAL CRIMINALS. Our prisons are over-run still with drugs so no one is receiving drug rehabilitation inside, they are filthy, vile, disease ridden, cages which treat men & women worse than we treat ANIMALS. Treat them like animals & they will become animals. Treat them with respect & they will learn to respect themselves & others. It's GOOD that our children are learning what is REALLY going on in prison; although age appropriate material should be provided. I have no problem with BOTH sides being represented, just as long as the CDC side is not the only one provided. Let them SEE the WHOLE picture.
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