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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1979-04-04, Page 43Teachers fight for books BY JEFF SEDDON If teachers in Huron county want to use controversial material in classrooms they better be prepared to fight for it. The Huron county board of education agreed in principle Monday to a policy that will make teachers, department heads and principals•responsible for handling complaints and criticisms of material used in county classrooms. The endorsement of the policy was given after director of education John Cochrane gave the board an example of a policy designed to handle complaints. Cochrane told the board he had drafted a policy too be presented to the board and had taken it to teachers and department heads for their com- ments. He said the teachers agreed with the intent of the policy . but felt that some changes should be made in the director's model before -the policy was adopted. - The director said teachers had' some "housekeeping suggestions" •for the policy to clear up vague areas. He said he hoped to have the changes made for the May board meeting but wanted the board to give some in- dication if it supported the idea of putting teachers in charge of 40's look. The look of the 40's was apparent In, the new styles shown at the spring fashion show sponsored by the Lueknow Kinettes. Straight skirts as featured in this two piece dress suit from Shirley's House of Fashion, .Wingham, were one of the influences frons the 40's. For women, narrow -legged pants and yelled hats and for men the look brings narrower lapels tin jackets and ties. defending material they use. "Which route does the board want to take?" Cochrane asked. "Do you want complaints to go back to the source or do you want to deal with them right off the top?" The policy is aimed at preventing •further headaches for trustees trying .to defend classroom material the board approved for use. Under the present system teachers recommend material to department heads, department heads and principals send that recommendation on to the board and the board approves it for use. In many cases the . board takes the teacher's word. that the material is suitable and does not, screen it. Cochrane indicated that the policy should help to prevent problems the board had over. English literature novels used in the county. The novels thatcame under fire, The Diviners by Margaret Laurence, Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, stirred a controversy in the county that is still a thorn in the board's side. Cochrane's suggestion would require and parent or ratepayer with a complaint about. classroom' . material to take that complaint to the school their child attends. The complaint would be handled bythe teacher, department head and principal of the school: If no suitable arrangement can be worked out the matter would be sent to`" the board tobe handled discreetly. Cochrane said he hoped the policy would enable individual con- cerns of,, ratepayers to stay glow .key and not become county wide issues, Seaforth trustee John Henderson said the system of approving material for classroom use had been taken away from trustees. He said it seems "trustees don't have anythjng to say anymore" pointing out that books that come to the board for approval get there a month before school starts. He said the board has little , op- portunity to make any changes in the list of approved materials. Board chairman John Elliott explained that the material for classroom use is sent to a committee of the board and that committee makes recommendations to the board:. Hesaid approvals° have to be made by the whole board giving all trustees a chance to comment. Goderich trustee Dave Gower said he had not had an opportunityto study the implications of the policy and asked it be tabled: He said he had not received the material provided on the policy until just before meeting time and had not had an opportunity : to study it. He said he felt the decision was important: enough to have all problems trustees had clarified: Gower said ` . one problem he had was understanding what materials the board approves and what is approved by the ministry of education. Cochrane said the ministry approves tex- tbooks in subjects like mathematics,' science and history leaving decisions on English literature novels up to individual boards. He pointed out that material the ministry approves "is usually. not , too con- troversial". Lpdceow Sentinel, Wedacsday• Aped 11, 1979 -Pae 15 A WILL BE RECEIVED Hl LUCKOW RECREATION COMMITTEE FOR ROLLER SKATING MANAGER AND ASSISTANTS Wednesday, Friday and Sunday Evenings ease apply in writing by April 20, 1979 Stating qualifications to WM. R. HUNTER LUCKNOW RECREATION COMMITTEE Box 32, Lucknow, Ontario WATER COLOUR WORKSHOP Presented by Visual Arts, Blyth Centre for the Arts. Friday - . May 4, 7 9 p.m. Saturday — May 5, 9 : = 12, 2 - 5 p.m. Sunday May 6, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Demonstrations, slides and application of various watercolour methods. Given by Michele White & Marie Charbonneau (both O:C.A. grads.) Class limited to 25 pre -registered students Fee $1.5.00 plus materials fee: FOR 'FURTHER INFORMATION CAL 523-9,4.03 between :5 6 p.m. Johnston Bros. [Bothwell Ltd.) 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