Robin Dehlinger- Seminole 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.
The Media Center/Library is a hub of activity at most schools. Media Specialists support the students by teaching skills to support literacy, encouraging students to select appropriate reading materials and also helping them with research, print or online. Media Specialists are key members of the staff. In my experience, they design engaging activities, support teachers lessons, provide their own lessons for students, and generally engage in multiple activities to support students’ literacy skills and love of reading.
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?
Media Specialists get to know the students and their interests. They are also the point persons who select age appropriate materials, along with the teachers and with principal consultation. Parental engagement is essential to encourage the development of life-long readers. Parents should be involved at every level in what their students are reading and set limitations with their classroom teachers according to their expectations. Parents’ wishes will be honored and the district has an established process for evaluation of instructional materials and school and classroom libraries.
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 the classroom, teachers carefully plan their lessons and select appropriate materials, based on state required standards. If a student or parent were to express a concern, the teacher should discuss their concerns with the parent and student. In terms of the school library, media specialists carefully select appropriate materials for the varying grade levels and interests. Parents can request limitations for their student. Just like other teachers, media specialists would respect a parent concern and work with the parent to come to an agreeable solution.
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.
My position is that School Board members should allow the parents to read whatever passages they choose. I would support a review as required by state statute and follow the established policy regarding objections to instructional materials and school or classroom library material.
The Media Center/Library is a hub of activity at most schools. Media Specialists support the students by teaching skills to support literacy, encouraging students to select appropriate reading materials and also helping them with research, print or online. Media Specialists are key members of the staff. In my experience, they design engaging activities, support teachers lessons, provide their own lessons for students, and generally engage in multiple activities to support students’ literacy skills and love of reading.
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?
Media Specialists get to know the students and their interests. They are also the point persons who select age appropriate materials, along with the teachers and with principal consultation. Parental engagement is essential to encourage the development of life-long readers. Parents should be involved at every level in what their students are reading and set limitations with their classroom teachers according to their expectations. Parents’ wishes will be honored and the district has an established process for evaluation of instructional materials and school and classroom libraries.
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 the classroom, teachers carefully plan their lessons and select appropriate materials, based on state required standards. If a student or parent were to express a concern, the teacher should discuss their concerns with the parent and student. In terms of the school library, media specialists carefully select appropriate materials for the varying grade levels and interests. Parents can request limitations for their student. Just like other teachers, media specialists would respect a parent concern and work with the parent to come to an agreeable solution.
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.
My position is that School Board members should allow the parents to read whatever passages they choose. I would support a review as required by state statute and follow the established policy regarding objections to instructional materials and school or classroom library material.