Whom Do You Trust?
The heart of the issue in HPISD’s literature controversy boils down to whom you trust. All sides actually agree on many points, including the need for a transparent adherence to district policy, an opt-out policy that works for both students and teachers, and the right of every parent to object to instructional materials that are in opposition to their personal values as parents. And yet, there seems an unconquerable chasm between the pro-book parents and the folks espousing indefinable “community standards” for literature selection.
So whom do YOU trust? The pro-book community trusts the teachers at HPISD. For more, see www.hpkidsread.org. Furthermore, the pro-book community accepts and trusts their own role in the education of their children, that is, to opt-out per district policy to materials to which they object. The “standards” group does not trust our teachers and administrators, either to select literature or to manage the opt-out policy. What they want is to insert their own world viewpoint into the determination of the content of instructional materials, thereby squelching the rights of parents and students who are not offended by the ideas presented in books. So the question really is whether or not we should entrust these individuals with the preparation of our children for life outside The Bubble.
Let’s look at the track record of HPISD. Without a doubt, we all chose to live here and send our kids to the public schools, because of a long history of academic excellence. (I won’t list here the many accolades and accomplishments of our students, alumni, and the district. For more information see: www.hpisd.org/About/PointsofPride.aspx.) In a public school, educational choices are made by professionals with the academic credentials to support their expertise. Teachers in HPISD must either have or be working towards their Masters degrees. Given the outstanding record and national recognition that HPISD receives, I think our teachers are doing an excellent job.
Unfortunately, the same qualifications have yet to be identified in the “standards” group. In fact, their actions call into question their judgment on the matter. The one book that is being taught at the high school and that has been formally challenged is The Art of Racing in the Rain written by Garth Stein. The standards group has called this book pornographic and is still calling this book “sexually explicit”. Explicit means stated clearly and in detail, leaving no room for confusion or doubt. There is no graphic depiction of sexual acts in this book. The scenes to which the “standards” group objects are, in my opinion, appropriate for my middle-schoolers, who have, in fact, read the book. I think most parents would find the book age appropriate for young adults in high school. For me, I find it hard to view the whole of the book as anything other than wonderful, emotional, challenging and ultimately uplifting. I think that’s why our educators chose the book, and I agree wholeheartedly. (For a perspective from outside The Bubble, see this book review: www.dallasnews.com/entertainment/books/20141107-fiction-review-a-sudden-light-by-garth-stein.ece)
So if the only formally challenged book is not sexually explicit except per the most puritan viewpoint, then what is the real agenda of the “standards” group? Are we to quit teaching reproduction in biology and stop studying human anatomy (at least the “objectionable” parts of human anatomy)? Are we to ignore evolution in favor of intelligent design? At risk is the future of my children and your children. Our children will be competing against students from the very best private and public schools in our country when they apply to college, the very same students that are studying a rigorous, thought-provoking and, dare I say, controversial curriculum elsewhere.
As the mother of three students in HPISD, I am very wary of the “standards” group seeking involvement in the selection of instructional materials, those relating to literature or other academic disciplines. Regardless of how well-educated our parents and community are, parents were not hired for this role. Unlike our professional educators, they generally lack qualifications, academic expertise, and a proven history of sound judgment on these matters. On the other hand, our teachers and administrators created a public school district that is in the Top 100 in the nation. We will not retain such prominence, or much respect, nor will the district attract the best and brightest educators, if we diminish the challenges in our proven instructional materials. Our schools have been doing a wonderful job preparing our young people for the world beyond The Bubble. HPISD’s record speaks for itself. Let’s trust them to continue in their mission.