Controversial Curriculum
Daddy’s Roommate: A Case Study
Introduction: Controversial Curriculum
The cultural community inside and outside of a school can be a difficult place to navigate, especially when it comes to sensitive issues. As leaders, we have to consider the letter and spirit of the law while acting with integrity as school leaders. When dealing with culture, tensions will inevitably arise [good place for a reference here—why should we believe you?]. The community may not always agree with the school culture. Professionals within the school may disagree with each other. Educational leaders have to understand the school culture and how it may be shaken when the leader makes difficult decisions. Here is one challenging case that Principal Evans needs to troubleshoot. There was a book that addresses families with same-sex parents, Daddy’s Roommate, used in Ms. Bennett’s English class as part of a prejudice and censorship unit; the department chair approved the unit [better to use active voice: Ms Bennett used…]. A fellow English teacher took the book from Ms. Bennett’s classroom and read it to his class while engaging in book-bashing (we interpret this as gay-bashing); the special education teacher followed suit. When the parent of a student in the special education class complained, the vice principal made the hotheaded [careful. I agree it was hot-headed but you should be neutral in presenting the case…”hot-headed” can be your critique later on.] decision to ban the book along with other “controversial” [whose definition of controversial? Anytime something is in quotes it needs to be attributed to someone.] books used within the unit. Principal Evans has been informed [informed by whom?] of the assistant principal’s actions and must properly handle the situation. Good case, of course, and an interesting cultural one to present.
Law, Rules, Policies and Procedures As we tackle this case study, it’s critical we understand the legalities
Introduction: Controversial Curriculum
The cultural community inside and outside of a school can be a difficult place to navigate, especially when it comes to sensitive issues. As leaders, we have to consider the letter and spirit of the law while acting with integrity as school leaders. When dealing with culture, tensions will inevitably arise [good place for a reference here—why should we believe you?]. The community may not always agree with the school culture. Professionals within the school may disagree with each other. Educational leaders have to understand the school culture and how it may be shaken when the leader makes difficult decisions. Here is one challenging case that Principal Evans needs to troubleshoot. There was a book that addresses families with same-sex parents, Daddy’s Roommate, used in Ms. Bennett’s English class as part of a prejudice and censorship unit; the department chair approved the unit [better to use active voice: Ms Bennett used…]. A fellow English teacher took the book from Ms. Bennett’s classroom and read it to his class while engaging in book-bashing (we interpret this as gay-bashing); the special education teacher followed suit. When the parent of a student in the special education class complained, the vice principal made the hotheaded [careful. I agree it was hot-headed but you should be neutral in presenting the case…”hot-headed” can be your critique later on.] decision to ban the book along with other “controversial” [whose definition of controversial? Anytime something is in quotes it needs to be attributed to someone.] books used within the unit. Principal Evans has been informed [informed by whom?] of the assistant principal’s actions and must properly handle the situation. Good case, of course, and an interesting cultural one to present.
Law, Rules, Policies and Procedures As we tackle this case study, it’s critical we understand the legalities
References: Chapter 342 — Teachers and Other School Personnel. (n.d.). Oregon Revised Statutes. Retrieved July 2, 2012, from http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/342.html Code of Ethics of the American Library Association | American Library Association. (2009, March 4). Retrieved July 2, 2012, from http://www.ala.org/advocacy/proethics/codeofethics/codeethics Division 20 Standards for Competent and Ethical Performance of Oregon Educators. (2012). Oregon Secretary of State Archives Division. Retrieved June 30, 2012, from http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/pages/rules/oars_500/oar_584/584_020.html Policies & Regulations. (2002, May 23). Ashland School District-Policies & Regulations. Retrieved July 2, 2012, from http://www.ashland.k12.or.us/code.asp?codeid=40 Sharpiro, J. P., & Stefkovich, J. A. (2011). Ethical Leadership and Making Decision Making in Education . (3rd ed.). New York, New York: Routledge. Bilodeau, J. (2012, July 2). Telephone interview. Southern Oregon UniServ.