I generally don't have any objections to states passing their own curriculum laws (and I don't live in a state that neighbors Florida, and have to deal with the second order consequences), but this caught my eye:
"On the right, supporters of the bill claim that the law is needed to prevent teachers from grooming young children for sexual abuse."
Outside of Culture War Grift World, is this actually a problem that needs solving? Or is it just something a grifter came up with to justify why precisely this is needed. Are is there a demonstrated record of Florida teachers grooming children for sexual abuse?
I think parents have a right to know when minors are involved. Parents can be held liable for not supervising their children. They should be aware of classroom behavior by teachers and students. You favor denying limited liability to cops. Teachers deserve no more protection than cops.
If we do not know what is going on in the classroom, we can't hold teachers accountable. I do not think classrooms are sufficiently monitored. Secrecy and coverup are the points in common between teacher and cop scandals. It should be much easier to monitor teacher behavior because it takes place in slow motion compared to what cops face.
Mar 14, 2022Liked by Chris J. Karr, David Thornton
I would argue that "getting fired up about a cultural problem that doesn't really exist" is exactly how we got Trump. Republicans are now in the business of outrage politics, because it works. Get people believing their way of life is threatened and they'll let you do anything you want to "fix" it.
In this case both sides of the aisle are being a bit ridiculous. It's a vague, poorly written bill, but the nickname it's been given is kind of over the top, imo. Republicans have always wanted the government out of our schools (they said), so this bill is just another sign that the party has departed from its alleged values.
Mar 15, 2022·edited Mar 15, 2022Liked by Chris J. Karr, David Thornton
Just as bad are the laws Congress passes that do not even define the law. What the laws mean is whatever the bureaucratic regulators and courts say. The best laws should define what is required rather than vaguely what is prohibited. Indoctrination by the school system does exist and is a problem. The solution is close monitoring of classrooms to make sure a required curriculum is taught. Any teachers caught proselytizing outside the approved curriculum should be fired.
I haven't seen evidence it exists in Florida. It isn't part of the curriculum. I think the burden of proof should be on those who say this is a problem to provide examples and to show how the law would prevent them.
Your point about open ended laws is good. Maybe the law should have stopped at grade three. My thought is that, for minors, the curriculum should be so loaded with basic educational requirements that teachers do not have time for indoctrination. And the requirements should be enforced.
I generally don't have any objections to states passing their own curriculum laws (and I don't live in a state that neighbors Florida, and have to deal with the second order consequences), but this caught my eye:
"On the right, supporters of the bill claim that the law is needed to prevent teachers from grooming young children for sexual abuse."
Outside of Culture War Grift World, is this actually a problem that needs solving? Or is it just something a grifter came up with to justify why precisely this is needed. Are is there a demonstrated record of Florida teachers grooming children for sexual abuse?
I haven’t seen evidence of actual grooming by teachers. It may have happened, but it’s not common.
If it's your kid, it's a problem if it happens once. Classroom monitoring is needed. Videos should be available for review.
I want to protect kids, but I absolutely oppose the expansion of the surveillance and police state to monitoring classrooms.
I think parents have a right to know when minors are involved. Parents can be held liable for not supervising their children. They should be aware of classroom behavior by teachers and students. You favor denying limited liability to cops. Teachers deserve no more protection than cops.
What is the teacher equivalent of qualified immunity? This is the first I'm hearing of teachers enjoying the same protections as police.
If we do not know what is going on in the classroom, we can't hold teachers accountable. I do not think classrooms are sufficiently monitored. Secrecy and coverup are the points in common between teacher and cop scandals. It should be much easier to monitor teacher behavior because it takes place in slow motion compared to what cops face.
I would argue that "getting fired up about a cultural problem that doesn't really exist" is exactly how we got Trump. Republicans are now in the business of outrage politics, because it works. Get people believing their way of life is threatened and they'll let you do anything you want to "fix" it.
In this case both sides of the aisle are being a bit ridiculous. It's a vague, poorly written bill, but the nickname it's been given is kind of over the top, imo. Republicans have always wanted the government out of our schools (they said), so this bill is just another sign that the party has departed from its alleged values.
Just as bad are the laws Congress passes that do not even define the law. What the laws mean is whatever the bureaucratic regulators and courts say. The best laws should define what is required rather than vaguely what is prohibited. Indoctrination by the school system does exist and is a problem. The solution is close monitoring of classrooms to make sure a required curriculum is taught. Any teachers caught proselytizing outside the approved curriculum should be fired.
I haven't seen evidence it exists in Florida. It isn't part of the curriculum. I think the burden of proof should be on those who say this is a problem to provide examples and to show how the law would prevent them.
Your point about open ended laws is good. Maybe the law should have stopped at grade three. My thought is that, for minors, the curriculum should be so loaded with basic educational requirements that teachers do not have time for indoctrination. And the requirements should be enforced.