Post by Logan on Mar 2, 2016 5:32:22 GMT -6
After passionate debate, Va. Senate passes bill that lets parents object to books
RICHMOND — If you closed your eyes, it could have been 1956.
You’d hear lawmakers rhetorically grappling during the Virginia Senate floor session, discussing the need to keep certain books out of school, while others decry censorship.
Instead it was 2016 — and the historic chamber became the battleground for a culture war over what role parents and public schools should play in determining which books their children are taught.
The Republican majority backed House Bill 516, which would require school divisions to notify parents of the use of “instructional material” that contains sexually explicit content. The measure would also let parents review the material, and require schools to provide “non-explicit instructional material” to students if parents wish to opt out.
The bill, sponsored by Del. Steven Landes, R-Augusta, sailed out of the House on a unanimous vote. It was promoted as legislation that would give parents notification and choice when it comes to teaching materials that contain explicit content.
Read more: www.roanoke.com/news/politics/general_assembly/after-passionate-debate-va-senate-passes-bill-that-lets-parents/article_947e8ef8-185a-5ab1-8cb5-b4510b06bd97.html
RICHMOND — If you closed your eyes, it could have been 1956.
You’d hear lawmakers rhetorically grappling during the Virginia Senate floor session, discussing the need to keep certain books out of school, while others decry censorship.
Instead it was 2016 — and the historic chamber became the battleground for a culture war over what role parents and public schools should play in determining which books their children are taught.
The Republican majority backed House Bill 516, which would require school divisions to notify parents of the use of “instructional material” that contains sexually explicit content. The measure would also let parents review the material, and require schools to provide “non-explicit instructional material” to students if parents wish to opt out.
The bill, sponsored by Del. Steven Landes, R-Augusta, sailed out of the House on a unanimous vote. It was promoted as legislation that would give parents notification and choice when it comes to teaching materials that contain explicit content.
Read more: www.roanoke.com/news/politics/general_assembly/after-passionate-debate-va-senate-passes-bill-that-lets-parents/article_947e8ef8-185a-5ab1-8cb5-b4510b06bd97.html