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A teacher in Indiana was suspended for using the book "Freedom Writers Diary" in her class. Here's the link: http://l.yimg.com/cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/ver/260.0/popup-2008-03-20-0932/skins/49750.jpg

What are your thoughts on this?

The link didn't work. Do you have a different link?

Here, try this one.

http://www.theindychannel.com/news/15115112/detail.html

Soapbox:
Oh, it has the word "freedom" and you know we can't have that! My god, some child might have an original thought and break free of the dumbed down curriculum after reading about...someone doing something original!!
But administrators always got those conveniently and carefully crafted "rules" to fall back on, don't they?
Plus side: The book has now received lots of free advertising.

Get her and those kids out of Indiana and drop a bomb on the rest of those cro-mag morons before it's too late.

It is terrifying to teach the future what the past couldn't learn from a book. And you can't expect the "past" to not be afraid of the loss of their jobs.

It would be wonderful to live in a world that was open minded enough to teach children what they actually need to know for the world ahead of them, the life after graduation.

But that open mindedness will only come when job security does too. Of course you have those individuals who risk their occupation for a good cause... but in this economy climate - I wouldn't expect it as often.

I am not arguing what the school board did is right - in fact it is quite wrong and it is quite ironic that they would block a title called, "freedom writers". I hope the people of Indiana (and perhaps all of the states) will ask, "Well what about 'freedom readers'?"

Heaven forbid a teacher show initiative and try to pull her at risk students up by showing them that its possible through the experiences of others. Another example of a select few highjacking the process to accomplish their desire to push their morality on everyone. The whole thing is ridiculous. IT takes them months and months to approve the book, but she passes it out and in weeks they have told her to take it back. If the approval process worked as well as the knee-jerk reaction process at that district she would have already had the approval.

By having the parents sign a permission form allowing their kids to read it, she may have saved her job. Maybe instead of assigning the book, they could have been allowed to read it as unassigned work. apparently the parents didn't have a problem with their kids reading it. The school board needs to get over themselves and do their jobs. it shouldn't take 3 or more months to approve a book for the cirriculum.
This teacher went out of her way to get this book for these kids. Using private funding instead of budget money looks shady, but they can use the budget for something else now. anyway, its all how you look at it. which side you're on depends on who seems wrong.

Some of the topics in the book are graphic, but its life. They use profanity because that's how people talk. She covered her butt by passing out those permission slips but if 149/150 parents said it was okay, why the suspension for a year and half without pay?

makes me glad I went to a private high school where we were able to read all sorts of stuff that'd likely be banned in public school districts. We read it, discussed it, and learned from it. craziness, i know.

More white is black.... up is down
less government, American Taliban crap

More reasons why the moral majority is neither moral or the majority point of view
Time to stand up for what's really important
why should students in this country receive a shoddy education because someone's afraid of a few f**king swear words?

McGay saidGet her and those kids out of Indiana and drop a bomb on the rest of those cro-mag morons before it's too late.

It isn't just Indiana. School Boards across the country are run by cro-mags. School Boards are full of "values"-oriented pieces of shit that could give a fuck about the reality of student's lives. Chances are there is a school board election in your town this year. Chances are it isn't in November so only 10-20% of eligible voters will vote. Chances are the same cro-mags will get reelected and help drag down education.


Man, I need a drink....

Being a teacher and living in Indiana, of course I took an interest in this news story, so I say:

Good for her.

I doubt those school board members deal with students on a day-to-day basis. She does. She got permission from 99% of the parents. She's doing the right thing. She followed a way to access the minds of the students.

I'd like to know specifically why the school board is so against her course of action.

I have mixed opinions on the issue. At first I was outraged that the teacher was suspended.

Then the school board president was interviewed and I got his side and also agree with him about the content.

The point is, the writers of the "Freedom Diaries" used
their street slang which is foul and inarticulate. This behavior is showcased in the media and it sends the message that this is not appropriate. I don't think a lot of inner city children realize that.

The message has been sent now. I hope the teacher is reinstated and the school board supports her.

So ... call me a flip flopper.