Here's what I mean about the attack on teacher autonomy by politicians. The following bills were introduced but thankfully failed to pass in the Arizona State Legislature (taken from the AEA website):
"SB1202 sponsored by Senator Lori Klein (R-Anthem) would have made any school district or charter school teacher guilty of unprofessional conduct and revoked their teacher's certificate for using partisan books, promoting any partisan doctrine or conducting any uni-partisan exercises in school."
"SB1203 sponsored by Senator Lori Klein (R-Anthem) would have required high school and common school teachers to receive approval from the school district governing board for all supplemental books or instructional computer software prior to usage."
"SB1205 sponsored by Senator Lori Klein (R-Anthem) provided harsh mandatory penalties for any person who provides classroom instruction in a public school who engages in speech or conduct that would violate the standards adopted by the FCC concerning obscenity, indecency and profanity if that speech or conduct were broadcast on television or radio."
Let me make this really clear: if I have to get approval by any political group before I use additional materials, I'm leaving public education entirely. If I worry about "uni-partisan" activities (how subjective is that?) then I'm out of here. The line has been drawn in the sand. State politicians have concocted this crazy conspiracy about liberal indoctrination via public schools.
News flash: if you don't like a school, opt-out. It's legal here in AZ. If you want a neo-con, theocratic, close-minded approach to education, sign your kids up for a school that holds your same worldview. However, don't impose it on us.
For what it's worth, I will always push multiple perspectives in my classroom. I will always use additional resources, texts and tools. I do not work for McGraw Hill or Pearson. I work for the public. I believe in democracy. And, I will fight like hell to keep critical thinking and democracy at the center of public education.
photo credit: by Jimmy Wayne
THIS is INSANE!!! I can't believe that anyone, anywhere, in the United States would even consider something like this. All perspectives need to be weighed and judged evenly - always.
ReplyDeleteI will walk out right behind you if anything like this ever goes into place in my corner of the world.
If you quit, AZ (and probably the US as a country) will be losing one it its finest...
ReplyDeleteHere in Virginia, I'm right behind you man.
ReplyDeleteAfter I get that ultrasound ...
Jeff,
ReplyDeleteIt truly is insane! And yet, it's real. That's the scary part.
John,
I doubt I would actually quit. I would just break the rules and dare them to fire me :)
Dear Tom,
Ha ha! You're state has gotten pretty crazy, too!