Nate Spera- St. Lucie District 4
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 the parent of a K-8 Media Specialist I am very aware of the challenges facing our Library/media center professionals. I believe that these areas are crucial in developing students critical thinking skills and educational development.
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 support policies empowering parents to limit specific materials (titles) from their children; however, I am opposed to blanket bans on material imposed to limit all students access to books and media particularly when the objection is political.
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 is currently well regulated by the curriculum office and any material introduced must be reviewed by the District prior to being proffered to students. In our District parents can identify specific titles that their child cannot access in the library or media center.
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.
There should be a fair and public review of books and materials. The board should exercise its authority to determine if the material is objectionable for all students or if it is to be limited by students grade level.
As the parent of a K-8 Media Specialist I am very aware of the challenges facing our Library/media center professionals. I believe that these areas are crucial in developing students critical thinking skills and educational development.
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 support policies empowering parents to limit specific materials (titles) from their children; however, I am opposed to blanket bans on material imposed to limit all students access to books and media particularly when the objection is political.
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 is currently well regulated by the curriculum office and any material introduced must be reviewed by the District prior to being proffered to students. In our District parents can identify specific titles that their child cannot access in the library or media center.
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.
There should be a fair and public review of books and materials. The board should exercise its authority to determine if the material is objectionable for all students or if it is to be limited by students grade level.