Addressed is the broad issue of academic freedom, specifically court decisions since 1967 which have imposed limitations on the lang, methods, & materials of English teachers. Six cases are examined, ...each representing a different assignment, lesson, or material used in the classroom. Four of the teachers were assigned to teach English in high school, one was a special reading teacher in eighth grade, & one was a language arts teacher in eighth grade. Although they possessed different experience levels, all were certified, well qualified for their positions, & taught in their area of competence. It is shown that recent courts have used the following criteria in determining judgment on the use of lang, methods, & materials: (1) whether the assignment or conduct has a serious educational purpose, (2) whether it is related to the maturity & background of the particular students, (3) whether there is any regulation proscribing such assignment or conduct, (4) whether any distrubance or disruption of the educational process results from such teacher action, & (5) whether the assignment or conduct adversely affects the person's functioning as a teacher. AA
Obscenity & censorship pose serious problems to rapport between schools & their districts. The US Supreme Court has determined that such issues should be solved locally. To resolve such an obscenity ...conflict, the Jefferson County, Ky, Commission on Community Standards Relating to Obscenity was formed. After a year's work, the Commission had not established guidelines for determining what was obscene, & could not agree as to whether it was a problem; however, the following important results can be derived. (1) "Community" is difficult to define. (2) "Obscene" is an even more difficult concept. (3) Without forming definitions, schools should discern what is considered objectionable in school media. (4) SE level predicts concern over obscenity, those most concerned being Wc/blue collar or Mc. (5) A relationship appears to exist between obscenity & political views. (6) A small but vocal group usually causes the uproar attributed to an entire, but less involved, community. (7) Those concerned about freedom in media are numerous but less vocal. (8) Obscenity may be an issue only where more serious problems do not attract attention. Schools should take four steps: (A) They should learn about the values & standards of the communities they serve. (B) A permanent advisory committee should aid in material selection & evaluation. (C) Procedures for voicing grievances should be explicitly explained to the community. (D) The school should communicate to the community regarding materials on a regular basis. T. Lamb
The Unlikely Censor Josten, Monica L.
English journal,
02/1977, Letnik:
66, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Young teenagers' complaints about "bad books" may be a cover-up for reading problems, or simply that a particular book is unsuited to the child at that particular time. The solution lies not in book ...banning but in tailoring books to meet student needs. Three suggestions are made for "perfect tailoring" in the classroom. (1) The reading selections available for any course must represent varying levels of readability. (2) Students should be prepared to encounter quasi-heretical attitudes in books. (3) Students should be allowed to choose the books they will read from a list prepared by the instructor. Allowing students some choice in reading need not presuppose the lowering of standards, nor does it necessarily constitute academic freedom. Academic freedom is two-sided: the instructor, unfettered by bureaucratic minutiae, must be free to make decisions for the students' educational benefit, & students must be free to stand where they are in academic skills & expect that they will receive whatever help they need. AA
