Elvis Piggott- Hillsborough District 5
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.
The role of a certified and trained media specialist is crucial in our schools. The Media Center is often seen as the heart of a school, where the Media Specialist fosters a learning environment that encourages research and literacy. It is imperative for every school to have a full-time Media Specialist, who is a treasured part of the Literacy Leadership Team.
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?
It's important for school libraries and media centers to involve parents in the educational process. Parents ought to have a say in the committee that evaluates books that may come under scrutiny. It's essential to recognize parents as partners with our trained Media Specialists, educators, and school leaders.
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?
The distinction between suitable reading material for a captive classroom and self-selected material in a school library setting can be made by directing teachers, parents, and media specialists to adhere to state standards and the appropriateness for the grade level for materials used in a classroom setting. In contrast, when students choose materials from a school library, they are making independent choices from the collection available to them. All materials in the library should be pre-approved based on state and district guidelines.
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.
School districts and school boards are required to comply with the mandates of Florida House Bills. Bill 1069 grants parents the authority to read excerpts from materials that are subject to objection, which means I would endorse the parents' right to review the book as outlined by House Bill 1069
The role of a certified and trained media specialist is crucial in our schools. The Media Center is often seen as the heart of a school, where the Media Specialist fosters a learning environment that encourages research and literacy. It is imperative for every school to have a full-time Media Specialist, who is a treasured part of the Literacy Leadership Team.
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?
It's important for school libraries and media centers to involve parents in the educational process. Parents ought to have a say in the committee that evaluates books that may come under scrutiny. It's essential to recognize parents as partners with our trained Media Specialists, educators, and school leaders.
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?
The distinction between suitable reading material for a captive classroom and self-selected material in a school library setting can be made by directing teachers, parents, and media specialists to adhere to state standards and the appropriateness for the grade level for materials used in a classroom setting. In contrast, when students choose materials from a school library, they are making independent choices from the collection available to them. All materials in the library should be pre-approved based on state and district guidelines.
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.
School districts and school boards are required to comply with the mandates of Florida House Bills. Bill 1069 grants parents the authority to read excerpts from materials that are subject to objection, which means I would endorse the parents' right to review the book as outlined by House Bill 1069