idea
Question Everything
So I was looking over next year's required reading list for my kids, and am rather disappointed... Nothing educational, it's basically soap-opera trash (not award winning literature, no classics, etc. etc.)
Rather than get into a long debate on what kids should or should not be forced to read, I have a different proposal, and was curious as to everyone's opinion on it.
If I created a survey with the following, would you sign it? Please edit/suggest away!
Thanks.
Rather than get into a long debate on what kids should or should not be forced to read, I have a different proposal, and was curious as to everyone's opinion on it.
If I created a survey with the following, would you sign it? Please edit/suggest away!
Thanks.
Proposal: Replace RELA (reading, English, and language arts) required reading lists with individually chosen books on an assigned subject matter.
Required reading lists for middle and high-school students have historically been the center of controversy due to the subjects, viewpoints, and agendas within the required books. We believe that quality class discussions can be created through assigned subjects, rather than assigned books. Replacing required RELA reading lists with subject lists would allow everyone the freedom of expression to choose their own books, and would also foster more open and inclusive classroom discussions. There are a variety of online reading programs that are already being used to test reading comprehension making individual reading choices a viable option.
Freedom of speech is the political right to communicate one's opinions and ideas. The term freedom of expression is sometimes used synonymously, but includes any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used.
The right to freedom of expression is recognized as a human right under article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and recognized in international human rights law in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Article 19 of the ICCPR states that "[e]veryone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference" and "everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice".
Please sign this petition if you support freedom of expression within the public educational system. Specifically, if you support replacing required RELA reading lists with individually chosen, grade-level appropriate, subject-specific books.
Thank you for your time and your consideration.