Jermaine Andrews- Desoto 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.
I remember having media center time in elementary school and active media specialists in middle, high school, and college. School libraries/media centers are vital for fostering a love of reading, supporting academic research, and enhancing literacy. A certified librarian/media specialist is crucial for guiding students to reliable resources, teaching research skills, and integrating technology, creating an engaging learning environment that benefits both students and teachers.
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 believe in open and honest dialogue with all stakeholders, including parents and families. Access to diverse books allows students to learn about the real world and make connections to their studies. To balance parental rights and student access to library materials, transparent communication and inclusive policies are key. Establishing a clear process for reviewing materials ensures parents' concerns are heard, while offering a diverse collection of books supports student learning. By collaborating with parents, educators, and librarians, we can respect parental rights and provide students with valuable resources that support their learning and personal growth.
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?
In a captive classroom, books are selected by teachers to align with lesson standards and Department of Education requirements, ensuring they are age-appropriate and support educational objectives. For self-selection in the school library, students can choose their own books through a system that uses student ID numbers and a content rating similar to movie ratings. This allows for a broader exploration of topics while ensuring appropriateness. Teachers can guide choices with recommended reading lists, parents can be involved in selections, and librarians can help tag and rate books for suitability. This balanced approach supports both structured learning and personal exploration.
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.
If a reader is denied access, I would support a fair and public review process because it ensures transparency, fairness, and community involvement. This approach aligns with district policies and allows for balanced decision-making regarding educational materials.
I remember having media center time in elementary school and active media specialists in middle, high school, and college. School libraries/media centers are vital for fostering a love of reading, supporting academic research, and enhancing literacy. A certified librarian/media specialist is crucial for guiding students to reliable resources, teaching research skills, and integrating technology, creating an engaging learning environment that benefits both students and teachers.
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 believe in open and honest dialogue with all stakeholders, including parents and families. Access to diverse books allows students to learn about the real world and make connections to their studies. To balance parental rights and student access to library materials, transparent communication and inclusive policies are key. Establishing a clear process for reviewing materials ensures parents' concerns are heard, while offering a diverse collection of books supports student learning. By collaborating with parents, educators, and librarians, we can respect parental rights and provide students with valuable resources that support their learning and personal growth.
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?
In a captive classroom, books are selected by teachers to align with lesson standards and Department of Education requirements, ensuring they are age-appropriate and support educational objectives. For self-selection in the school library, students can choose their own books through a system that uses student ID numbers and a content rating similar to movie ratings. This allows for a broader exploration of topics while ensuring appropriateness. Teachers can guide choices with recommended reading lists, parents can be involved in selections, and librarians can help tag and rate books for suitability. This balanced approach supports both structured learning and personal exploration.
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.
If a reader is denied access, I would support a fair and public review process because it ensures transparency, fairness, and community involvement. This approach aligns with district policies and allows for balanced decision-making regarding educational materials.