Some problems are so complex that the only solution may, just may, involve prosecuting a teacher for a crime. At least that appears to be the view being presented in Kansas today, as legislation, Kansas looks to move forward on legislation that would make it a criminal offense to display certain materials.
http://www.kansas.com/...
The bill was introduced by Sen. Mary Pilcher-Cook, R-Shawnee, who also sponsored a bill that would require parental consent for students to receive sex education in public schools. Both bills were prompted by the middle school poster, which was part of a sex ed program called “Making a Difference,” she said.
The poster was titled “How Do People Express Their Sexual Feelings?” and featured a list of 17 behaviors or sex acts, including cuddling, holding hands, massage, kissing, oral sex and anal sex. It was removed after a parent complained, and Shawnee Mission district officials later said in a letter to parents that the curriculum had been suspended “pending a detailed review of the material.”
“Because of the way the law is written, although everyone else has to follow community standards, schools do not,” Pilcher-Cook said Friday.
“Right now if a teacher were to give pornography (to a student) it is not likely at all that a prosecutor would take the case because there is such a high hurdle protecting our schools.”
In the spirit of full disclosure, my youngest son attends Hocker Grove middle school where this poster was displayed. The poster, which sparked controversy appeared in a health & sexual education class and addressed the question of means of sexual activities. By highlighting the fact that some acts may be considered sexual - from oral and anal sex to grinding and kissing, some parents found immediate outrage.
http://fox4kc.com/...
Ellis initially assumed it was a student prank, until he called the school and found it was part of the curriculum.
“Why would you put it in front of 13-year-old students?” he asked.
The poster asks the question “How Do People Express Their Sexual Feelings” and lists things like “oral sex” and “grinding”. He contacted the school principal and was told it was teaching material.
“It upsets me. And again, it goes back to who approved this? You know this had to pass through enough hands that someone should have said, ‘Wait a minute, these are 13-year-old kids, we do not need to be this in-depth with this sexual education type of program,’” he told FOX 4 earlier this week.
Now the state of Kansas has the solution - prosecute teachers involved.
The KNEA in Kansas immediately issued a statement, noting that such a practice as provided for in the legislation would open the door for wide spread book banning as well as a push back against any artistic content that some may deem questionable. Statement here.
While many have expressed concerns over the impact on literary and artistic work, the American Family Association took to the state house floor and proudly displayed the poster that went up in a middle school and declared it the equivalent of profanity. When asked about this, the AFA responded:
http://www.kansas.com/...
Cosby, of the American Family Association, said such works still would be protected under a clause in the law that protects materials that a “reasonable person” would find to have “serious literary, scientific, educational, artistic or political value for minors.”
“They’re saying somehow this is equated with art, but no, no, no,” he said. “That is not the issue in front of us.”
While artistic value and the interpretation of what is art will certainly come into question, with the open challenge to a list of sexual acts and the declaration such and act could or should be prosecuted, the AFA in effect took the stand that Human Sexuality coursework does not represent a serious scientific or educational value for minors.
The problem with sex in our schools may be even more widespread than even all Republicans realized at the beginning, as representatives told their tale of how school issued iPads became a tool to draw middle schoolers to engage in pornographic internet searches.
Without of course, the WiFi only iPad, it is certain that the family probably could have avoided the development of a pornography addiction that seemed to grow in their own household.
Whether or not this means prosecution of teachers for delving into these subjects in a frank and scientifically supported way is up for discussion.
http://www.kansas.com/...
“Right now if a teacher were to give pornography (to a student) it is not likely at all that a prosecutor would take the case because there is such a high hurdle protecting our schools.”
Which also involves whether or not you believe a plain text sign that mentions oral and anal sex constitutes pornography.
Should a vote continue the state will be debating about the prosecution of teachers over not just artistic merits, but also whether or not human sexuality courses have any scientific or community benefit at all; or if they should be tightly censored to remove content that may be objectionable, though scientific and sociologically valid.