KINGMAN - Local educators see serious problems if a bill passes that would restrict them from offering political opinions in their classrooms.
"As far as U.S. history, it will stifle any independent thought on the part of students," said Jerry Hudson, who teaches early and modern American history at Kingman Academy of Learning High School.
"I'll have to keep my comments restricted to facts and not offer any analysis or projections. That's not healthy for education."
Senate Bill 1542 was voted down 5-3 in the Senate Education K-12 committee when it was first introduced as SB1612. The revamped version passed the Senate Government Committee 4-3 along a party line vote at the end of February.
In addition to restricting political opinion, the bill prohibits instructors from supporting activities that hamper the access of military recruiters on campuses.
Rachel Bails teaches U.S. and world history at Kingman High School.
"It definitely would affect me," Bails said. "I fully believe in discussion. I endeavor to remain neutral, but not being able to play the devil's advocate and push students to advance their critical thinking would impact me.
"We're now studying the Holocaust and students will see different images during PowerPoint presentations. One question I ask is why do some people deny it existed as it certainly affects public opinion."
Republican Sen. Jake Flake from Snowflake told the Associated Press he voted for the bill in the Senate Government Committee because students, even those in college, are impressionable.
Flake said it is the responsibility of parents, not teachers, to influence students toward political opinion or a particular candidate.
Flake said he has not considered the bill's impact as much at the university level as elementary, middle and high school levels.
Impact would be as significant at the post-secondary level, according to Danette Bristle, division chair of general studies on the Kingman campus of Mohave Community College.
"American society is based on a democratic foundation," Bristle said. "In order to teach students to function in it, teachers must be free to engage in conversation with students, so students learn how to think critically on issues and so become proficient voters in society.
"If teachers fear they will be fined or lose their jobs by encouraging critical thinking about social issues, the result will be teachers shying away from ever encouraging such discussion."
Bristle added Arizona curriculum for juniors at the high school level requires them to write a position paper. If open discussion if prohibited how will they be able to write such a paper?
If the bill is enacted, educators would be forbidden to express political opinions or advocate for one side of any social, cultural or political issue. Penalties for violation would include a $500 fine and suspension or revocation of their teaching certificate at the secondary level. Public university and community college instructors would face $500 fines and possible suspension or termination from their positions.
John Kitts is an English faculty member at MCC.
He said it's a popular reactionary trend these days to place imagined safety needs over fundamental freedoms. How else could a bill like SB1542 come to a vote?
"This bill essentially denies free speech in a misguided - and frankly offensive - effort to protect our state's students, even our college students, from their own teachers," Kitts said. "Public schools and colleges already have policies in place to provide the proper Band-aid to curb against the occasional abuse, but this unnecessary "fix" instead proposes a fully body cast - mouth included - that would ultimately stifle our teachers' ability to develop their students' critical thinking skills.
"One of my jobs in the English classroom is to teach argumentation and debate. I can't lead my students to think for themselves if the very social issues most relevant to their lives are suddenly deemed dangerous or inappropriate for public discussion."
Reader Comments
Posted: Friday, March 16, 2007
Article comment by:
Jake Gunby
I agree with Mr. Slefert, passing this bill will only solidify the students in critical path thinking in only one direction. This country was founded on many beliefs and strived on debates. The problem would only compound if young minds only get one perceived thought, creating a one sided forum. This bill would as Mr. Slefert put it a nation of sheep indeed. To fine a teacher for opening up political opinions in class would be a set back in this nation. If the populus would take a close look at the students, maybe they would see that possibly a good political or other debate is needed to advance the thought process in the young people to help keep America free.
Posted: Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Article comment by:
William SIefert
This bill, if passed would have an extremely detrimental effect on teachers in all levels of education. The idea that it would be illegal for me to engage a class in constructive discussion on ANY topic is a violation of MY first amendment free speech. It also stifles the VERY thought processes that make INFORMED decisions possible.
One of the problems I see with our country's foreign policy is that there has not been enough FREE discourse for the public to be well informed. As a result, the public is being BLINDLY led by those same people that would discourage or make illegal the very discourse that formed this republic.
Those who do not learn from history are destined to repeat it. Informed discourse, be it at school, the local watering hole or where ever is what is needed to keep this country from becoming a nation of sheep.
