Star Swain- Leon Superintendent
1. Please share your thoughts related to the importance of the school library/media center and the role of a certified, trained librarian/media specialist in schools.
Even in the age of advanced technology, the school library/media center plays a vital role in literacy development, increasing students' love for reading, and providing access to books and other literacy resource that some children may not have in their home. A certified and trained media specialist helps to teach students how to effectively use media center resources to conduct research, participate in project based inquiry, or find developmentally appropriate books that students may be interested in. These skills are extremely important to all students and can aid in their literacy success.
2. Florida school libraries/media centers have always supported parents' rights to direct their students' education. How would you balance parental rights and student access to library materials, especially given that some books trigger different reactions among parents, all of whom deserve rights?
I would strike a balance by developing an opt-out or parental consent protocol and system where parents are able to make the choice of whether or not they desire for their students to interact or be exposed to particular literature. This supports parents' right to choose while not overlimiting students' access to library materials.
3. Students have access to reading material through captive classroom instruction, read-alouds and novel studies, as well as through self-selection in libraries where they choose their own book. How would you differentiate between the appropriateness of reading material in a captive classroom vs. self-selection in the school library?
Whether students are reading literature through captive classroom instruction or whether they self-select literature in the school library, all materials must be developmentally- and age-appropriate for students in schools and not threaten their safety or well-being in any way. Several materials read in a captive classroom are a part of adopted materials that align with the state approved curriculum adoption list. Those materials are already vetted and determined to be appropriate for all students. Self-selection is important to provide as it allows for students to choose literature that they have an interest in; this increases student engagement in literacy devlopment and students' love for reading. Along with this opportunity to choose, comes a responsibility to ensure that what students have access to is appropriate and sound. Any material that may be controversial or present ideas that align with very specific beliefs should require parental consent (or non-consent if applicable) through completion of a consent form.
4. As written in Florida House Bill 1069, “Parents shall have the right to read passages from any material that is subject to an objection. If the school board denies a parent the right to read passages due to content" deemed unsuitable as defined in the bill, the school district must discontinue use of the material. If a reader is denied, explain why you would interpret the law by supporting or opposing a fair and public review of the book, as outlined in each district's objection policy.
I would support a fair and public review of the book, as parents should have the right to read and understand why any material has been objected. This brings transparency to district decision-making with parents and will reinforce a sense of trust between the district and families.
Even in the age of advanced technology, the school library/media center plays a vital role in literacy development, increasing students' love for reading, and providing access to books and other literacy resource that some children may not have in their home. A certified and trained media specialist helps to teach students how to effectively use media center resources to conduct research, participate in project based inquiry, or find developmentally appropriate books that students may be interested in. These skills are extremely important to all students and can aid in their literacy success.
2. Florida school libraries/media centers have always supported parents' rights to direct their students' education. How would you balance parental rights and student access to library materials, especially given that some books trigger different reactions among parents, all of whom deserve rights?
I would strike a balance by developing an opt-out or parental consent protocol and system where parents are able to make the choice of whether or not they desire for their students to interact or be exposed to particular literature. This supports parents' right to choose while not overlimiting students' access to library materials.
3. Students have access to reading material through captive classroom instruction, read-alouds and novel studies, as well as through self-selection in libraries where they choose their own book. How would you differentiate between the appropriateness of reading material in a captive classroom vs. self-selection in the school library?
Whether students are reading literature through captive classroom instruction or whether they self-select literature in the school library, all materials must be developmentally- and age-appropriate for students in schools and not threaten their safety or well-being in any way. Several materials read in a captive classroom are a part of adopted materials that align with the state approved curriculum adoption list. Those materials are already vetted and determined to be appropriate for all students. Self-selection is important to provide as it allows for students to choose literature that they have an interest in; this increases student engagement in literacy devlopment and students' love for reading. Along with this opportunity to choose, comes a responsibility to ensure that what students have access to is appropriate and sound. Any material that may be controversial or present ideas that align with very specific beliefs should require parental consent (or non-consent if applicable) through completion of a consent form.
4. As written in Florida House Bill 1069, “Parents shall have the right to read passages from any material that is subject to an objection. If the school board denies a parent the right to read passages due to content" deemed unsuitable as defined in the bill, the school district must discontinue use of the material. If a reader is denied, explain why you would interpret the law by supporting or opposing a fair and public review of the book, as outlined in each district's objection policy.
I would support a fair and public review of the book, as parents should have the right to read and understand why any material has been objected. This brings transparency to district decision-making with parents and will reinforce a sense of trust between the district and families.