A federal appeals court Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit by parents outraged that the Palmdale school district in California surveyed their elementary school children about sex.
The three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the parents' claim that they have the exclusive right to tell their children about sex.
Now, on the one hand, I think that when you enroll your child in a public school, you are indeed agreeing to let that school dictate the content of information/eductation that your child will receive.
However, I also think that parents shouldn't — by dint of that enrollment — give up the ability to dictate what goes into their child's head.
Hmm... I know for certain I disagree with the court decision... and would side with the parents in principle, but in practice if the parents had won, it would allow each student to receive a customized education from an institution poorly designed for such a feat.
My suggestion: Syllabuses sent home to the parents. Lesson plans made public. Teachers don't vary their classes from year to year that much, so it would only take a few hours to put together a one-time lesson plan for what they teach. Granted, it wouldn't cover every eventuality, such as student-initiated discussions about topics that one particular parent might find offensive, but that can't be blamed on the teacher, and it is the best solution I can think of, and certainly gives parents a good understanding of what their children are being taught. It also protects the teachers from irritated parents who could no longer claim to be ignorant about what their children are, or were going to be, taught.
In addition, a school newsletter would be nice... something mailed out to all parents once a month covering special curriculum, student-initated and student-run events, special guest speakers and lecturers, as well as the usual sports schedules, club activities, and cafeteria menu.
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