If you found out your kid is being taught by someone with extreme views, what would you do?

Question

Like in his sociology class, your 10 year old kid is taught that Bush is similar Hitler
or
Clinton should be hanged for letting Bin Laden carry out his US threat....

Does that fit into the category of free speech?

Answer 1

It sounds like the teacher is expressing their views and not reciting history. Talk to the principal and demand that they stop.

Answer 2

What type of school teaches sociology to a ten year old? The kid shoud not be learning about the science of social engineering at his age....he should be experiencing it.

I would first question the justification of sociology being taught at souch a young age. Then I would ask the person teaching sociology what moral broadbrushes against the backdrop of history has to do with the scientific philospohies of sociology. If he is studying sociology, he should be learning about models of social need structure like functionalism and island-theory. Lessons such as that should be relegated to the realm of civics and/or history.

Confront the teacher to justify how their statements tie in with sociology, and therefore academically embarass them. I would do it on parent teacher night in front of other parents so as to maxamize the ripple effect of your words...and it will catch the teacher off guard. Generally, if a teacher is dumb enough to say that, then they will be quick to anger and embarasses themselves in front of the other parents. That way, when you go to administration, you do not go alone.

I had a similar experience as a student when my english teacher at a catholic school stated that Jesus was most likely the bastard child of a roman soldier that raped the "virgin" mary. I know what dealing with psyco teachers is like, and as a student I led the charge to remove the woman from our school. She worked out the year, and was not there for the next year.

Answer 3

No, this is not something that 10 year olds should be told or taught! You need to see the principal. If the child were older and it was a group discussion then it may be considered ok...but it goes a little far!

Teachers have a tendency to show their opinion, sometimes without regard to the students or their parents. See the principal and if things don't change you need to see the school board.

Answer 4

I would get my kid a tape recorder and have him tape the teacher in class, then file a complaint with the school board. Teachers should stick to facts, not opinions, and they should stick to their curriculum rather than their own political agenda.

Free speech is a right, but an unbiased education is also a right. I think that teachers can speak out as much as they want in a public forum, but not in the classroom. In the classroom they are responsible for giving our children a factual education.

Answer 5

Since my tax dollars are going towards paying this teachers salary I would, without a doubt, object to this type of teaching in any classroom.

Whether they are teaching history, math or social science a teacher should remain politically neutral. Any type of political bias, whether left or right, should not be tolerated. Not only would I send a letter to the schools administration, I'd send a copy to the teacher and request a with the teacher and the principal.

Answer 6

I think as long as the kids are of high school age it is healthy for them to hear all view points. If the kids are in elementary school, I would have a problem with it. At that age they are too impressionable and don't question what they are taught. The teachers at the elementary level should stick to facts and not their personal opinions and beliefs.

Answer 7

I would alert the school board. A teacher is not supposed to be biased! A teacher is supposed to show the facts and leave opinions out. Free speech is out the window when you are molding young children's minds! That is absolutely ridiculous! I used to have to fight just to get my teachers opinion on a topic after class. A teacher is not supposed to feed there students anything but facts and knowledge. You need stand up against this. Also who ever said that a teacher stating opinions in high school or during group discussion are still not okay. Kids in high school are very impressionable! It is not until you get out on your own and do things for yourself that you start to truly think for yourself. Also in my school we had group discussions the teacher would ask us questions and let us debate on a topic but woul NEVER offer his or her own opinion. Which is the way it should be. The students need to decide for themselves what is right and what they think is wrong.

Answer 8

I would immediately confront them and let them know I'd be back with attorney in-tow if they tried that crap again. Then, I'd demand an apology from the teacher to the students in the presence of the Principal.

Definitely would make a big stink.

Answer 9

I think we should not allow such things to be taught to our kids. I would confront the teacher and the headmaster too.And try my best to put a stop to this kind of education.Freedom carries some sort of responsibility too.Kids shouldn't be exposed to negative ideas at all

Answer 10

extreme is the word, I have no love for Clinton but that teacher is wrong. Teach him it may have been wronge but hindsight is 20/20. He needs to respect the time it happenned and and not what is going on today.