Liz Barker- Sarasota District 2
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.
As a mom, I’ve seen my own children discover books, with the help of the trained media specialists at their schools, that have opened the door to a love of reading. In my career as a school psychologist, I often worked closely with media specialists to support students, particularly those who may need accommodations to access printed materials, specific accessibility features, or alternative communication devices. I’ve also had the privilege of working alongside our school media specialists to collaborate with teachers and administration to promote school-based literacy initiatives in my role as PTO president. Professional Media Specialists play an integral role in student 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?
Every parent has the right to determine what books and materials are appropriate for their children. There is already a procedure in place to allow parents to opt-out of any book, resource, lesson, etc. It is equally important, however, for those parents who would like their children to have access to a diverse collection of materials, to also have that opportunity. Unfortunately, our legislative and political environment has led to self-censorship and a sense of fear among all educational professionals, but particularly our media specialists. School boards have a responsibility to provide clear guidelines and support to schools so that this does not happen.
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?
Captive classroom instruction should be tied to the curriculum standards, while self-selected materials serve a much broader purpose. Students should have a wide variety of materials from which to self-select to meet their own personal skill level and areas of interest. As above, parents should maintain the right to opt out of any books that they deem inappropriate for their own children. One parent should not, however, be permitted to make that choice for other families.
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.
A fair and public review of any challenged book is the appropriate course of action in order to ensure adherence to policy.
As a mom, I’ve seen my own children discover books, with the help of the trained media specialists at their schools, that have opened the door to a love of reading. In my career as a school psychologist, I often worked closely with media specialists to support students, particularly those who may need accommodations to access printed materials, specific accessibility features, or alternative communication devices. I’ve also had the privilege of working alongside our school media specialists to collaborate with teachers and administration to promote school-based literacy initiatives in my role as PTO president. Professional Media Specialists play an integral role in student 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?
Every parent has the right to determine what books and materials are appropriate for their children. There is already a procedure in place to allow parents to opt-out of any book, resource, lesson, etc. It is equally important, however, for those parents who would like their children to have access to a diverse collection of materials, to also have that opportunity. Unfortunately, our legislative and political environment has led to self-censorship and a sense of fear among all educational professionals, but particularly our media specialists. School boards have a responsibility to provide clear guidelines and support to schools so that this does not happen.
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?
Captive classroom instruction should be tied to the curriculum standards, while self-selected materials serve a much broader purpose. Students should have a wide variety of materials from which to self-select to meet their own personal skill level and areas of interest. As above, parents should maintain the right to opt out of any books that they deem inappropriate for their own children. One parent should not, however, be permitted to make that choice for other families.
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.
A fair and public review of any challenged book is the appropriate course of action in order to ensure adherence to policy.