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From the Chalkboard: Alternative lifestyles don’t belong in classroom
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Anonymous user Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
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1 response 0 comments By Dick Ferris, Education Columnist

A recent California Senate Bill (SB1437) was introduced hoping to mitigate the alienation that gay teens face in public schools. The proposal would require California textbooks to include gay and lesbian history. 

California law currently requires K-12 social studies instruction to include a study of the role and contributions of both men and women, African Americans, Native Americans, Mexicans, Asians, Pacific Islander, and various other ethnic groups, with an emphasis on portraying the role of these groups in contemporary society. SB1437 adds sexual orientation and gender to the list, specifying that the information be presented in a positive age-appropriate manner.

Members of the California State Assembly were scheduled to vote on the bill in late June, but that vote never took place. What happened was that thousands of concerned Californians called and faxed their lawmakers warning them of the dangers of the bill. The Governor's office was also overwhelmed with faxes and phone calls asking them to uphold traditional values –– especially in California's educational curriculum. Even in liberal districts there were thousands of constituents who contacted their Assembly members. Apparently, that message was received, since the measure was never voted on, in all likelihood because they didn't have the votes to pass. It will surely be brought up again when the Assembly returns on Aug. 8. 

One has to wonder, what has become of old fashioned academics? Not too many years ago, teachers were only required to teach basic subjects such as arithmetic, reading, writing, English, social studies and the arts. Teachers only needed to be concerned about basic subject matter. Pity the teacher today who must not only prepare kids academically, but also address many issues that have little business taking place in the classroom. SB1437 is sure to rekindle a long-running debate over whether state officials or local school boards should determine appropriate curriculum. In California's education standards, gay issues are mentioned, as they should be, only in regard to health education. 

Based on the recent outcry from parents of all political and social persuasions, most Californians are opposed to the inclusion of sexual orientation in school curriculum. And for good reason! This bill is concerned with more than accepting gays and lesbians. Under the guise of creating “safe schools,” which all would agree is a noble objective, the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN) has a more insidious agenda –– the indoctrination of children into the homosexual lifestyle. GLESN targets children and recruitment through GLESN chapters that sponsor Gay, Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs on junior high and high school campuses across the country. 

Should Sheila Kuehl, the bill’s author, a lesbian, and other proponents have their way, not only would valuable instructional time be consumed, which California's students cannot afford, students will be taught that alternative lifestyles are common, acceptable and worthy of their consideration. It has been correctly observed that what one generation accepts the next generation condones and the third practices.

Public schools need to concentrate on academic subjects. Other matters related to lifestyle and belief systems are the responsibility of the home. Parents need to be vigilant and make their voices heard on such important issues. It is clear most of California's citizens want our schools to concentrate on academics, not social engineering. Contact your lawmakers and let them know how you feel.  You owe it to your children.

E-mail Dick at: dferris@bakersfieldfirst.com

Agree with Dick that lifestyles and beliefs are the responsibility of the home, not the classroom? Post your comments to this column at: www.swvoice.com

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