Tom - thank you for posting this information. I am concerned about the apparent unilateral efforts to ban content and material (especially since open access is not available) from "authority figures" especially ones that purport to be "civil servants". Did the higher ups solicit input from all relevant stakeholders before making this *last minute* disruptive decision to the educational environment? Wouldn't it be useful to let teachers *and* students critically examine this content from an equity lens instead of banning the material which fits their equity agenda but presents no apparent benefit to the teachers or students? I believe active learning would be beneficial in our political climate as opposed to passive transfer of information. We need an informed and active citizenry not simply absorbing information from authority figures who appear to lack critical thinking (insofar as fiscal responsibility and management are concerned). Aren't teaching conditions learning conditions? How does this last minute decision impact teaching *and* learning conditions? The BOE needs to consider impact assessments of these poor decisions, in regards to changing curriculum and last minute curricular changes. These poor decisions add up and affect the quality of education in the short *and* long term. I continue to be utterly appalled and flabbergasted by the behavior of D65 administrators and BOE.
This is a good and valid point that the very discussion we're having here is the kind of discussion they should be having in the classroom. I think the teachers call that "modeling"
I don't doubt that a unit about the "War Between the States" has to address slavery, and in that context it's about Black people. If I was going to try to teach fifth graders about slavery (and nobody would hire me to do that), I'd spend time on what slavery is, slavery in history and modern times, kinds of slavery. One objective would be to help them recognize if someone is trying to enslave them.
Your comments are perfect examples of examining the banned content from an equity lens. If teachers and students were given leeway to do this instead of taking orders from administrators, I think it would have been a much better learning experience for everyone involved including the publisher of the content who would have received feedback from ALL relevant stakeholders. Just my humble opinion. Thanks for posting.
"Is there any story more important to the human experience than liberation and escape from the shackles of slavery?"
Well, maybe the one about how we became enslaved.
Got any suggestions for reading?
Tom - thank you for posting this information. I am concerned about the apparent unilateral efforts to ban content and material (especially since open access is not available) from "authority figures" especially ones that purport to be "civil servants". Did the higher ups solicit input from all relevant stakeholders before making this *last minute* disruptive decision to the educational environment? Wouldn't it be useful to let teachers *and* students critically examine this content from an equity lens instead of banning the material which fits their equity agenda but presents no apparent benefit to the teachers or students? I believe active learning would be beneficial in our political climate as opposed to passive transfer of information. We need an informed and active citizenry not simply absorbing information from authority figures who appear to lack critical thinking (insofar as fiscal responsibility and management are concerned). Aren't teaching conditions learning conditions? How does this last minute decision impact teaching *and* learning conditions? The BOE needs to consider impact assessments of these poor decisions, in regards to changing curriculum and last minute curricular changes. These poor decisions add up and affect the quality of education in the short *and* long term. I continue to be utterly appalled and flabbergasted by the behavior of D65 administrators and BOE.
-VERY concerned citizen
This is a good and valid point that the very discussion we're having here is the kind of discussion they should be having in the classroom. I think the teachers call that "modeling"
Certainly nothing at a fifth grade level.
I don't doubt that a unit about the "War Between the States" has to address slavery, and in that context it's about Black people. If I was going to try to teach fifth graders about slavery (and nobody would hire me to do that), I'd spend time on what slavery is, slavery in history and modern times, kinds of slavery. One objective would be to help them recognize if someone is trying to enslave them.
Your comments are perfect examples of examining the banned content from an equity lens. If teachers and students were given leeway to do this instead of taking orders from administrators, I think it would have been a much better learning experience for everyone involved including the publisher of the content who would have received feedback from ALL relevant stakeholders. Just my humble opinion. Thanks for posting.