[ksen]

Seems silly to redesign the curriculum around such a person.

While that is true, shouldn't the parents have a bit of say over what they would like their children to read? Even their 10th grade children? What if the kids were assigned to read something like......I don't know, Mein Kampf or The Satanic Bible. Should the parents be given any consideration if they ask for their kids to be assigned something else to read?

[HairOfTheDog]

Of course they should have a lot of say... But I think that Poe is of a classic nature, and a object example of American Literature, which is the subject of the class...

And she wasn't objecting to the subject matter on political or religious grounds, but instead because the daughter has some issues with nightmares... Is that a disability the whole class needs to work around?

I don't know... I think I had to read Mein Kampf in Social Studies!

[Sam Cree]

"shouldn't the parents have a bit of say over what they would like their children to read?"

Yes, unless they are Democrats :-)

I agree that schools ought to reflect the community standards, never federal standards.

My feeling is that concerned, involved parents can (and often do) wield alot of influence over even public schools.

'Course "soccer moms" are known for voting left.

[Corin Stormhands]

While that is true, shouldn't the parents have a bit of say over what they would like their children to read?

I would say yes, of course they do. But where do you draw the line. Poe and Hawthorne are classics of American Literature. If you don't want your child to read them, they shouldn't study America Lit.

Next year when she teaches British Lit, I'm daring her to put "Harry Potter" on the suggested reading list...