During the 1990’s the Town of Plainfield convened a committee of citizens, business owners, educators and parents to establish a set of community values. Each month the schools emphasize one of these values by defining it and giving examples. Teachers then submit the name of a student from their classroom who best exemplifies that month’s value. Finally, one student from each school is recognized at the monthly School Board meeting. These values include:
Equal Opportunity
Honesty
Reliability
Respect for the Environment
Integrity
Justice
Respect for Laws and Rules
Truth
Dignity and Self Esteem
Responsibility and Accountability
Respect for Others’ Rights
Kindness
The ongoing effort to promote these values in students is in accordance with Indiana state law requiring public schools to teach character development. Similarly, federal laws seek to establish equal opportunity, respect for others’ rights, dignity and self esteem by prohibiting discrimination by education programs receiving federal funds based on characteristics such as race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation) or disability.
Parental Choice has become a battle cry for some groups across the county and in Indiana. However, it is important to realize parents already have a lot of parental choice when it comes to their child’s curriculum and education. Parents may contact a teacher or school librarian at any time and restrict the books their children read and the content their students have access to.
Furthermore, we must evaluate demands for greater parental control with an eye toward applicable state and federal laws and with Plainfield’s own community values. Some in the Parental Choice movement object to teaching or even mentioning the topics of race or sexual orientation. They may seek to “protect” their students from uncomfortable topics or claim the schools are trying to separate students from their Christian values.
The reality, however, is that public schools must strive to be neutral towards religion and may not encourage nor discourage religious beliefs. Students of all religious faiths and no faith have the right to equal access to educational opportunities free from discrimination, treatment or harassment that creates a hostile environment on these bases. School board members are bound to follow the law, and risk personal liability for breaking the law.
We live in a pluralistic society and the purpose of public education is to prepare students to succeed in our society. Being able to have civil conversations about controversial topics and work with people with whom you disagree are pre-requisites to life in 21st century America. Encountering differences at school provides teachable moments when families can discuss the ideas presented while instilling their own family values. Helping students understand a variety of viewpoints and providing them with the skills to engage with those with whom they disagree is not an attempt to compel students to accept (or reject) any particular worldview, religious or otherwise.
Rather than bring the culture wars into our school board by exploiting real or perceived differences among us, Margaret believes we should focus on our common values and come together and to lift up all students.