Are Parents Really Still Concerned?

May 25th, 2006 was an extraordinary day in the life of District 214, Arlington Heights, IL. Prior to this day, it seemed that all was cheery and bright in the classrooms across the district. What parents did not know, did not hurt them. Suddenly, the ugly underbelly of what is really happening in some classrooms was exposed.

Certainly, there are caring and responsible teachers in our district. And I hope that they have the courage to speak to those who seemingly lack responsibility. Can they encourage them to greatness? Can they let their lights shine in what seems to be a place that is getting darker and darker as the years go on?

While the 6-1 vote showed an overwhelming support of the literature being selected was just fine to almost all the Board Members of District 214, you do have to wonder. Did that evening have any impact for good for our students? Were those six individuals changed as a result? Perhaps their votes came from a protectionist attitude for the teachers....a way to back the organization and hang together. Is anything happening behind the scenes to change what is being taught in our classrooms?

School will be in full swing shortly. Will the teacher's institute day have any talk of this issue? Will the teachers conduct themselves any differently? Maybe they will push their ideologies on the students even harder just to show those prudish parents a thing or two.

So, the aftermath is over, but has the dust settled? What do you think?

Links

• American Association of Educators


• Internet Safety


• Lexiles


• Protecting the Minds of Children