Schools to give students credit for attending Protest

The Gazette ^ | Feb 4, 2004 | Sean R. Sedam

[11th_VA]

Montgomery County public school students who attend Monday's rally in Annapolis in support of the $1.3 billion Thornton education plan could earn credits toward the service learning credits required for graduation.

Students can earn two service learning credit hours for attending the rally, said Montgomery County schools spokeswoman Kate Harrison.

Students begin earning community service credits the summer before sixth grade under a state requirement for graduation.

Each county sets its own guidelines for how students can earn the credits. Montgomery County requires that students accumulate 60 credit hours in order to graduate.

"There are a variety of ways that students can earn service learning credit," Harrison said. "Advocacy is one of the state and local guidelines. ... It can be on either side of the issue."

But some county taxpayers are taking issue with students earning credit for political activism.

"This is one hand washing the other, and I don't think it's right," said Sam Penner of North Bethesda.

On Monday, Penner, who does not have children in the school system, posted a story about students receiving credit for attending the rally on the Web site he maintains for the Montgomery County Republican Party.

[11th_VA]

I can tell you from experience, they won't give credit for kids attending church sponsered mission trips ...

[untenured]

Some wise Freeper once said that conscripting children into political activism is a hallmark of totalitarianism.

[AppyPappy]

The Thornton Youth

[Herodotus]

Glad to see this posted in its own link. I had tucked it in under this other thread here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1072888/posts

but didn't know if it was worth it's own thread.

[humboldtconservative]

This was only a matter of time......

Next thing, they'll be giving community service for vandalizing cars (ELF) or pouring red paint on fur wearers (PETA).

[BlessedByLiberty]

Yes it is. Do you think a student holding a sign against their plan will earn credits? Perhaps one should ask the Superintendent to get it on record.

[Paul C. Jesup]

Why am I suddenly reminded of the German Nazi Youth.

[highnoon]

Do you suppose they get EXTRA credit for getting arrested?

[Sloth]

This is *disgusting*.

[txzman]

Radical teachers and the NEA: America's Education Enemy

[MEGoody]

Community service credits toward graduation?

No wonder kids can't spell, construct a simple sentence, read passed a second grade level, or do basic math. Schools are too busy teaching them to be activists.

[Rebelbase]

Contrast this the school kids who were not given an excused absence to participate in a welcoming of President Bush when he came to their town....happend a couple of years ago.

[Rebelbase]

Contrast this the school kids who were not given an excused absence to participate in a welcoming of President Bush when he came to their town....happend a couple of years ago.

[thoughtomator]

The 3 R's in 2004: Razing, Rampaging, Rioting

[thoughtomator]

Try that "miserable failure" google search now...

[WV Mountain Mama]

They should also get credit for protesting abortion clinics. Somehow, I don't think that will happen.

[cinFLA]

You had to ask ...

Seniors earn credit pushing pot reform

[cinFLA]

It gets worse!

Buses will take students to rally


By Matthew Cella
THE WASHINGTON TIMES



The Montgomery County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations is planning to bus students to a teachers rally in Annapolis next month.
County schools officials already have encouraged students to earn two community service credits by taking part in the Feb. 9 rally, which aims to encourage support for more education spending

[cinFLA]

School Officials Discriminate Against Religious Puppeteers, Deny Community Credit for Volunteering at Vacation Bible School

[cinFLA]

A civil liberties group says a Maryland public school system violated the rights of two students by denying them community service credit for participating in a religious program for Indian children.