Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Education
 
Board
State Board of Education
 
chapter
Regulations Governing Local School Boards and School Divisions [8 VAC 20 ‑ 720]
Action Amendments Regarding Use of Controversial or Sensitive Instructional Materials
Stage NOIRA
Comment Period Ended on 1/15/2014
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1/4/14  2:13 pm
Commenter: Sara Young, Henrico County Public Schools

"Sensitive" Material is Different for Each Family
 

In my experience as both a classroom teacher and an elementary school librarian, I have found that what different families consider "sensitive" or "inappropriate" varies greatly.  I do my best to keep our library collection both appropriate for the children's maturity levels as well as uncensored so that they do not miss out on access to excellent literature.  I have had one family ask me not to let their children check out graphic novels and another beg me for them.  Creating a law that requires marking sensitive material will be both daunting and pretty much impossible since someone can usually find something they deem "inappropriate" in many many books.  This proprosal leans more towards censorship rather than helping students.  Parents should definitely be involved in helping their children choose, read, and understand great literature, but this is not the way to do it.  

CommentID: 29829