TE 818: Theme 3b: What Should Schools Teach? "Controversial" Curriculum

I will begin with a parental view of not just these two issues, but all controversial issues in general. Recently my son relayed a story to me about something that had happened at school and in the middle of it all, he said, "gay," in a whisper as if he were afraid that someone would hear him. When he was done, I asked why he had done that and went on to explain that when we whisper words like gay, homosexual, illegal immigrant (because that's a word that gets whispered a lot in my neck of the woods), we perpetuate the stigmas, discrimination, and overall backward thinking that comes along with them. I can honestly say that although my husband and I have open conversations with our son, I am glad that the school takes the initiative to put "it" out there.

"Now we’re told we can talk about race, but it has to be through a multicultural perspective" (Siek, 2012). This, too, will come to an end. A state-wide curriculum in Texas was scrapped over the summer months because a parent got a hold of a high-school social studies lesson in which, in just so happened, the Muslim religion was being discussed as part of a "big picture" lesson. That's all it took for everyone to get riled up, and, as with so many other things, the politicians won. "Our students have already learned so much this year and this process is teaching them so much more. They are restless, ready to act and eager for their voices to be heard, and our community is equally supportive to their desires" (Acosta, 2012). It would be wonderful if the young students directly affected by this can in turn affect some real changes in how they are being edged out of the history of the state they live in. I wonder if being true to student-centered instruction, and allowing these students to "teach" themselves, or learn by way of self-directed investigation/discovery would also end up against the law. Will student research projects also be shut down to fulfill a political agenda?

In terms of curbing bullying all around, our school district has staff development and student presentations either through the counselor or outside agencies and by classroom teachers. Students and parents are asked to sign off on a parent/student responsibility and consequences contract no later than the 2nd week of school. It works for the most part along with reminders throughout the year. Education about tolerance for homosexuality has to begin at home though. I have had students come to school and refer to students that they don't like by calling them "gay" or (Spanish slang) "joto." Neither the speaker nor the target of the slurs are fully aware of what these words mean, but they interpret them to be "bad." As a classroom teacher, I know that I'm not teaching these words to my students, so they and their connotation must be coming from home...Education begins at home. (On a personal note, if parents whose children come to school ready to utter these words were as dedicated about helping with homework and showing up to parent/teacher conferences, we would all be much better off. Students. Teachers. Community.) When these words are spoken, we are somewhat forced to address the issue, and that puts us between a rock and a hard place because we do not have a curriculum for this. What do you say? What do you attempt to make the student understand?

“By the time kids get to high school, it’s too late," says Tess Dufrechou (Eckholm, 2010).