See Garrisons Letter to the Board and Superintendent on keeping TKR Point of Paragraph #1 I am qualified to have made this

s book selection. - Does the reader take a more active role in the story when reading it compared to someone who watches it unfold in a movie? Explain what happens in someones mind when reading the descriptions given by an author. Points of P#2 * If they are using this novel, then we should use it, too. (Peer pressure) * The parents didnt complain in the right way we could have assigned an alternate assignment. (There are no BCPS policies telling parents they can object to compulsory reading selections). Read selections from the book. - Did it occur to anyone that the subject matter in The Kite Runner was controversial and the parents should be notified before the book was assigned? (If it did cross someones mind, what was the reason for not notifying parents of the mature themes of the book?) Did the MTAC committee or the Superintendent decide a letter should go home to parents? Do you normally send letters home to parents when their children are assigned controversial books? - Did they consider the fact that a child who had been raped in this way may have been assigned the book without their parents knowledge? - Were the students made aware (warned) by the teacher of the mature theme of the book before they read the sodomy rape scene? - - Was any research consulted to determine if this book is age appropriate for 10th graders? (Is this a subjective decision?) - Did Mr. Garrison write a rationale when deciding to approve this controversial material? Do departmental chairpersons routinely write and submit rationales when selecting a new piece of literature? - When was the DPI conference and who went? - Did department chairs from other BCPS high schools consider and/or approve the use of TKR for their World Literature classes? - Was TKR included to the English 10 Honors course as an additional piece of literature, or did it replace a novel that has been used in the past? What novel did it replace? - letter says we decided to purchase a classroom set. Was this a group decision? - Mr. Martin told his class his mother liked the book and suggested it to him. He was reading it at the same time as the class, staying one chapter ahead of them. - Since it was listed without disclaimers, meaning its not necessarily controversial, then you go along with that.

2nd half of this paragraph. - What will the alternate reading selection to The Kite Runner be? Explain how a class is conducted when a student or students are reading an alternate selection. Are they segregated to another room during the class discussion of the book? Are you concerned about the student(s) being socially ostracized because their parents have chosen to opt for the alternate selection? -What sources were consulted in identifying potential alternative books to achieve the course objectives? - If other books were available and/or considered why was TKR selected and all other books rejected (censored)? - When one book is selected over another one, is that considered censorship or is that simply a curriculum choice or decision? When someone challenges, or secondguesses, the department chairpersons or education professionals book selection decision, is that what is labeled censorship or book banning? Points of P#3 * If you accept this book challenge, the precedent will be set to stop all learning. * If they are using this novel, then we should use it, too. * Praise for the book its about redemption - The challenge process under what conditions should a book be challenged? Are all book challenges referred to as an act of censorship? - Should school and public library books be "rated" like the movies? Discuss the benefits and the problems that such a scheme might present. - Continuum - Suppression of knowledge to Complete Academic Freedom Redemption: An act of redeeming or the state of being redeemed Deliverance, rescue Theology. Deliverance from sin; salvation. Atonement for guilt. Redeemed To set free; rescue or ransom. To save from a state of sinfulness and its consequences. To make up for. To restore the honor, worth or reputation of. (example, You botched the last job but can redeem yourself on this one).

HOW CAN SCHOOL OFFICIALS AVOID CONTROVERSY?

Good internal communications and public relations offer the best way to avoid unnecessary controversy. Districts need sound written policies, procedures, and criteria that are "developed cooperatively by teachers, administrators and school board members, with formal approval given by the Board" (Haiman). The district must specify criteria for making curriculum judgments, identify personnel to make those decisions, and provide written rationales for including or excluding potentially controversial materials. These policies should be reviewed yearly. Broad support should be sought from local, state, and national organizations that are committed to academic freedom.

Does BCPS have a policy for regulating the selection of curriculum materials? Who makes the final decision about supplemental material (books/novels) to be used in English classes? Is there a policy regarding parental notification and consent when using assigning books of a controversial nature?