Statement on Academic Freedom and Teachers’ Professional Judgment

December 15, 2011
By

The following is a message as we received it—verbatim—from Portland Public School (PPS) faculty in response to a panel from Occupy Portland being removed from Astor School.

I’ve circulated a statement drafted by Portland teachers today during my lunch hour. The more I think of it, the more ridiculous this is and I’m using PPS email now to send out this statement.

Time Magazine has selected the Protestor as the person of the year. I am reading through the profiles and planning on teaching more about it. I can’t believe the district admin is trying to restrict teachers from inviting the education panel from Occupy Portland, when even Time Magazine has selected Occupy protestors as part of the person of the year. What side are we on? If this were the 1960s, would we be restricting teachers from inviting MLK to speak to our students, because they practice nonviolent civil disobedience?

Please read the profiles of protestors and then learn about the profiles of our local protestors who have formed an education committee to volunteer their time to talk to students about the real issues that our society faces.
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2101745_2102138,00.html

Here is our letter. I have hard copies that I’ve already gather over 20 signatures on and other teachers are gathering signatures at other schools in and outside of PPS. Please continue to sign on by email and on my hard copies. It is time that teacher occupy our professions and not allow unelected billionaire philanthropes dominate education policy!
——————————————————————————

We, the undersigned educators, are dismayed by the recent incident at Astor School where members of the Occupy Portland Panel, an educational branch of the Occupy Portland movement, were thrown out of a classroom of sixth and seventh graders after they began talking to students about U.S. foreign wars and house foreclosures. After a school employee interrupted the discussion, the Occupy Portland guests were told by the teacher that, “the school district is not comfortable with us having this conversation,” and then escorted out of the building. The decision to end the panel came from Astor Principal Karl Newsome. Portland Public Schools spokesman Matt Shelby is quoted in the Portland Mercury backing the principal’s decision citing a district procedure that calls for principals to sign off when outside groups are brought in and asserting that the teacher should have let parents know before inviting the Occupy Portland Panel to Astor.

We reject the idea that teachers would need to notify parents or obtain principal approval before bringing Occupy speakers to their classrooms. This is a violation of the professional discretion and academic freedom of teachers. Obviously, the permission of parents and the school principal is not always required when guest speakers come to class. So why in this instance? Can the school district cite any occasion when a principal required a teacher to notify parents prior to a presentation from a representative of a Portland area business, a government agency, or the U.S. military? Are parents notified when teachers use Junior Achievement curriculum materials, funded by large corporations like UPS, ExxonMobil, and Goldman Sachs? Is it school district policy that only individuals who are engaged in social justice activism are so profoundly controversial and threatening that their presence in schools requires parental permission? And what message does this send to students, when one group is singled out as so potentially problematic? As educators, we object to this attack on academic freedom and the discriminatory enforcement of school district policies.

We believe that too often the standardized curriculum teaches a particular point of view and that it is important for educators to bring in groups like Occupy to offer our students greater curricular balance. For example, the Contemporary Economics textbook, adopted by PPS, teaches that income inequality is caused by differences in household sizes, that the best predictor of poverty is whether family members are employed, that welfare tends to create cycles of poverty, and that military spending has been decreasing while “income redistribution” has vastly increased. The global studies adoption, Modern World History, includes a single “critical writing” activity in its treatment of the war in Iraq: “Imagine you are a speechwriter for President Bush. Write the introductory paragraph of a speech to coalition forces after their victory in Iraq.” The text includes no critical perspectives from groups or individuals opposed to U.S. involvement in Iraq.The district should not place restrictions on teachers’ efforts to offer their students a rich and varied — and socially relevant — curriculum.

Lastly, the school district must live up to its commitment to equity. When one-fifth of PPS students live in poverty, one third in David Douglas and Parkrose live in poverty, and 55 percent of all American children live in families that are near poverty, we should be encouraging all teachers to invite Occupy activists into their classroom to discuss issues of inequality and social justice.

Signed,

  1. Roy Amling, Portland Public Schools Substitute
  2. Bill Bigelow, Portland Public Schools, retired; Curriculum Editor, Rethinking Schools magazine
  3. George Bishop, Roosevelt High School
  4. Gregory M. Burrill, Portland Public Schools Substitute
  5. Andrew Butterfield, Davinci Middle School
  6. Aaron G. Byer, Roosevelt High School
  7. Margaret Byrne, Vestal Elementary School
  8. Linda Campillo, Wilson High School
  9. John Carolan, Wilson High School
  10. Alice Chadd, Young Women’s Leadership Academy
  11. Kerri L Cheney, Duniway Elementary School
  12. David Child, Woodlawn School
  13. Michael Cullerton, Jefferson High School
  14. Diane Dean, Rosa Parks Elementary School
  15. Jeremy Dickerson, Roosevelt High School
  16. Heather Dolberg, Wilson High School
  17. Sandy Donnely, Mary Rieke Elementary School
  18. Kasuna Duffey, Astor School
  19. Gail Duffy, Wilson High School
  20. Margot Faegre, Scott School
  21. Paula Fahey, Stephenson Elementary School
  22. Amy Feller, Wilson High School
  23. Hannah Flinn, Lee School
  24. Lise Flores, Wilson High School
  25. David Frankunas, Grout Elementary School
  26. Del Gerber, Wilson High School
  27. Tracy Groom, Wilson High School
  28. Terri Harrington, Portland Association of Teachers Vice President, Maplewood School
  29. Theresa Hawkins, Franklin High School
  30. Keith Higbee, Wilson High School
  31. Melia Hinatsu, Irvington School
  32. Annete Holbrook, Marysville School
  33. Michael Horrigan, James John Elementary School
  34. Aurora M. Jimenez, King School
  35. Kimberly Johnson, Markham Elementary School
  36. Lisa Orcutt Kane, Abernethy Elementary School
  37. Suzanna M. Keller, Cesar Chavez School
  38. Jeff Kipilman, Portland Public Schools Substitute
  39. Linea King, English as a Second Language, Teacher On Special Assignment
  40. Joana Kirchhoff, Rigler School
  41. Kathi Koeing, Portland Association of Teachers
  42. Dan Kropp, James John Elementary School
  43. Barbara Kutasz, Mt. Tabor School
  44. Kali Landis, Lee School
  45. Dianne Leahy, Jefferson High School
  46. Dominic LeFave, Wilson High School
  47. Danielle Liscia, Wilson High School
  48. Tim Loveless, Wilson High School
  49. Derek MacDicken, Wilson High School
  50. Manuel Mateo, Wilson High School
  51. Geri Ellen Matyiko, Pioneer Program at Holladay
  52. Elizabeth Mayer, Roseway Heights School
  53. Andrea J. McCarter, Creative Science School
  54. Karen McEwan, Woodmere Elementary School
  55. Tom McKenna, Portland Public Schools, retired
  56. Rose Michels, Woodlawn School
  57. Merrie Miller, Kelly Elementary School
  58. Alex Montfort, King School
  59. Molly Mullins, Harrison Park School
  60. Hyung Nam, Wilson High School
  61. Mike Nolan, Wilson High School
  62. Jeanne O’Brien, Ainsworth Elementary School
  63. Mary R.J. O’Hara, Creative Science School
  64. Ric Oleksak, Sellwood School
  65. Matthew Oleson, Beach School
  66. Steve O’Neil, Wilson High School
  67. Juliana O’Neill, Lincoln High School
  68. Susan Parker, Wilson High School
  69. Patty Patterson, Maplewood School
  70. Katherine A. Paxton-Williams, Rigler School
  71. George Penk, Wilson High School
  72. Shyla Piper, Irvington School
  73. Michelle Potesteo, Wilson High School
  74. Leslie Quenell, Rigler School
  75. Al Rabchuk, Wilson High School
  76. Casey Rodhe, Chapman School
  77. Robert Rodney, Stephenson Elementary School
  78. Stephen B. Rosenfeld, Portland Public Schools Substitute
  79. Adam Sanchez, Jefferson High School
  80. Jeremy Shelter, Wilson High School
  81. Debra Simmons, Portland Association of Teachers
  82. Cathy Skach, Benson High School
  83. Greg Smith, Lewis & Clark College, Teacher Education
  84. Sarah Spella, Jefferson High School Motor Development Team
  85. Patty Stanich, Maplewood School
  86. Geoff Stonecipher, Woodmere Elementary School
  87. Eric Alan Swehla, Mary Rieke Elementary School
  88. Sherree Tatum, Bridger School
  89. Marcia E. Thomason, Astor School
  90. RaeAnn Thompson, Young Women’s Leadership Academy
  91. Ailien Tran, Winterhaven School
  92. Rose Wilde, George Middle School
  93. Lisa Walker, Wilson High School
  94. Margaret Ann Walter, Wilson High School
  95. Anny Wood, Ockley Green School

The author of this statement encourages interested parties to sign their petition at: http://www.change.org/petitions/portland-public-schools-change-policy-restricting-teachers-inviting-speakers-into-their-classrooms

Editor’s addition of signatures from petition – Dec 18th:

  1. Hyung Nam,Portland,OR,97215-3127,United States,12/15/2011
  2. Dominic Le Fave,Portland,OR,97202,United States,12/15/2011
  3. Bill Bigelow,Portland,OR,97211,United States,12/15/2011
  4. Hayley Nasman,Portland,OR,97215,United States,12/16/2011
  5. Kris Alman,Portland,OR,97225,United States,12/16/2011
  6. Jennifer Schuberth,Portland,OR,97206,United States,12/16/2011
  7. Anthony Cody,Oakland,CA,94619,United States,12/16/2011
  8. Antonio Angel Barragan,Glen Allen,VA,23059,United States,12/16/2011
  9. Karie Mize,Monmouth,OR,97361,United States,12/16/2011
  10. Michael Charney,North Kingsville,OH,44068,United States,12/16/2011
  11. Kevin Donahoe,Miamisburg,OH,45342,United States,12/16/2011
  12. Deborah Menkart,”Washington, DC”,DC,20056,United States,12/16/2011
  13. Jon Spinac,New York,NY,10010,United States,12/16/2011
  14. Sara LaPlante,Olympia,WA,98502,United States,12/16/2011
  15. yirusha Isreal,wheaton,MD,20902,United States,12/16/2011
  16. Donna Mace,Green Cove Springs,FL,32043,United States,12/16/2011
  17. Benjamin Burson,Gresham,OR,97030,United States,12/16/2011
  18. Sandy Polishuk,Portland,OR,97212,United States,12/16/2011
  19. Christine White,Portland,OR,97202,United States,12/16/2011
  20. Nona Glazer,Portland,OR,97212,United States,12/16/2011
  21. liam Doherty,Portland,OR,97213-3867,United States,12/16/2011
  22. Mark Nerys,Brooklyn,NY,11204,United States,12/16/2011
  23. Eric Gregory,Portland,OR,97201,United States,12/16/2011
  24. Frann Michel,Portland,OR,97209,United States,12/16/2011
  25. Michelle Newsum,Coos Bay,OR,97420,United States,12/16/2011
  26. Terry Anderson,Portland,OR,97210,United States,12/16/2011
  27. David Lifton,Portland,OR,97232,United States,12/16/2011
  28. chris peterson,Portland,OR,97212,United States,12/16/2011
  29. Devin Post,Portland,OR,97219,United States,12/16/2011
  30. Bob Peterson,Milwaukee,WI,53212,United States,12/16/2011
  31. Joshua Weiner,Portland,OR,97232,United States,12/16/2011
  32. Hugo du Coudray,Portland,OR,97212,United States,12/16/2011
  33. CJ Mitchell,South Pasadena,CA,91030,United States,12/16/2011
  34. Kurt Kessler,Ashland,OR,97520,United States,12/16/2011
  35. Josh Barstow,Troutdale,OR,97060,United States,12/16/2011
  36. E A,Lake Oswego,OR,97035,United States,12/16/2011
  37. Joel Morgan,Portland,OR,97217,United States,12/16/2011
  38. Laurie Sonnenfeld,Portland,OR,97209,United States,12/16/2011
  39. Rob Melton,Portland,OR,97239-1986,United States,12/16/2011
  40. Alan Moore,Portland,OR,97211,United States,12/16/2011
  41. Forrest Loder,Portland,OR,97214,United States,12/16/2011
  42. Alon Raab,Portland,OR,97210,United States,12/16/2011
  43. Melissa Crenshaw,Portland,OR,97206,United States,12/16/2011
  44. Sarah Morrigan,Portland,OR,97239,United States,12/16/2011
  45. Sam Aley,Coos Bay,OR,97420,United States,12/16/2011
  46. Sonja Somerville,Salem,OR,97304,United States,12/16/2011
  47. Danielle Sanders,Portland,OR,97215,United States,12/16/2011
  48. laurie&dave king,Portland,OR,97203,United States,12/16/2011
  49. Amy Warren,Portland,OR,97211,United States,12/16/2011
  50. Chadderton Taggard,Portland,OR,97230,United States,12/16/2011
  51. Gail Pearlman,Grants Pass,OR,97526,United States,12/16/2011
  52. David Dugo,Portland,OR,97217,United States,12/16/2011
  53. Isaac Ellis,Portland,OR,97216,United States,12/16/2011
  54. Susan Barrett,Portland,OR,97232,United States,12/16/2011
  55. Joel Sjerven,portland,OR,97205,United States,12/16/2011
  56. Katrina Wilson,Salem,OR,97301,United States,12/16/2011
  57. Juliet Ballard,Portland,OR,97233,United States,12/16/2011
  58. Laura Guimond,Portland,OR,97217,United States,12/16/2011
  59. liberty straney,portland,OR,97211,United States,12/16/2011
  60. Kirk Caudle,Portland,OR,97236,United States,12/16/2011
  61. Doug Sherman,Portland,OR,97293,United States,12/16/2011
  62. Laura Lovett,97023,OR,97023,United States,12/16/2011
  63. james m nordlund,Fargo,ND,58102,United States,12/16/2011
  64. Audrey Dentith,San Antonio,TX,78229,United States,12/16/2011
  65. Thelma Stone,Portland,OR,97211,United States,12/16/2011
  66. Amani Al-holail,Carbondale,IL,62901,United States,12/16/2011
  67. Harrison Delfin,Portland,OR,97212,United States,12/16/2011
  68. Jess Brooks,Portland,OR,97211,United States,12/16/2011
  69. Kevin Finney,Portland,OR,97215,United States,12/16/2011
  70. Clayton Morgareidge,Portland,OR,97202,United States,12/16/2011
  71. Roy Perez,Portland,OR,97217,United States,12/16/2011
  72. Tina Burdsall,Vancouver,WA,98684,United States,12/16/2011
  73. kim boylan,portland,OR,97202,United States,12/16/2011
  74. Gaetano DeLeonibus,Portland,OR,97213,United States,12/16/2011
  75. Joseph Carr,Portland,OR,97220,United States,12/16/2011
  76. chuck reinhart,highland lakes,NJ,07422,United States,12/16/2011
  77. mikeal slama,cornelius,OR,97113,United States,12/16/2011
  78. Deborah Norton,Portland,OR,97219,United States,12/16/2011
  79. Becky Lambert,Victoria,,v8n 3l3,Canada,12/16/2011
  80. George Bishop,Ridgefield,WA,98642,United States,12/16/2011
  81. bill resnick,Portland,OR,97214,United States,12/16/2011
  82. David Osborn,Portland,OR,97212,United States,12/16/2011
  83. Upgeya Pew,Vancouver,WA,98683,United States,12/16/2011
  84. Alejandra Favela,Portland,OR,97202,United States,12/16/2011
  85. Barbara Henson,La Mesa,CA,91942,United States,12/16/2011
  86. Theresa Fagin,Portland,OR,97206,United States,12/16/2011
  87. Lance Garland,Portland,OR,97219,United States,12/16/2011
  88. Christopher Z White,Portland,OR,97225,United States,12/16/2011
  89. Helen Clarke,Portland,OR,97217,United States,12/16/2011
  90. Patrick Pinkerton,Monmouth,OR,97361-0012,United States,12/16/2011
  91. Jeffrey Evans,Tucson,AZ,85716,United States,12/16/2011
  92. Heather Macdonald,Jacksonville,OR,97530,United States,12/16/2011
  93. Tom Kane,Hubbard,OR,97032,United States,12/17/2011
  94. Laura Stirewalt,Portland,OR,97209,United States,12/17/2011
  95. Elizabeth Lehr,Portland,OR,97206,United States,12/17/2011
  96. Ryan Olson,Portland,OR,97266,United States,12/17/2011
  97. Karen Bishop,Portland,OR,97219,United States,12/17/2011
  98. b Hoppe,portland,OR,97203,United States,12/17/2011
  99. phyllis weih,portland,OR,97215,United States,12/17/2011
  100. angella davis,Portland,OR,97231,United States,12/17/2011
  101. Theodora Tsongas,Portland,OR,97215,United States,12/17/2011
  102. Natasha Beck,Portland,OR,97214,United States,12/17/2011
  103. Emily Crum,Portland,OR,97211,United States,12/17/2011
  104. Matthew Reeder,Portland,OR,97202,United States,12/17/2011
  105. Pam Hogeweide,Portland,OR,97203,United States,12/17/2011
  106. Rose Hogeweide,Portland,OR,97203,United States,12/17/2011
  107. Mary-Jane Freemont,Portland,OR,97202,United States,12/17/2011
  108. Adam Sanchez,Portland,OR,97215,United States,12/17/2011
  109. Tim King,Portland,OR,97211,United States,12/17/2011
  110. Danica Fierman,Portland,OR,97215-2466,United States,12/17/2011
  111. John Gouvas,Athens,,11635,Greece,12/17/2011
  112. Kathi Boyd,Chicago,IL,60614,United States,12/17/2011
  113. S Perrault,Davis,CA,95616,United States,12/17/2011
  114. Kathy Garrett,Portland,OR,97219,United States,12/17/2011
  115. Mary Twombly,Cook,WA,98605,United States,12/18/2011
  116. Rebecca Anshell Song,San Diego,CA,92126,United States,12/18/2011
  117. Marsha Rakestraw,Portland,OR,97225,United States,12/18/2011
  118. Lise Jones,Portland,OR,97213,United States,12/18/2011
  119. Edward Laurson,Denver,CO,80235,United States,12/18/2011
  120. Nancy Mueller,Milwaukee,WI,53211-3770,United States,12/18/2011
  121. Aida Aranda,FOREST GROVE,OR,97116,United States,12/18/2011
  122. Scott Ritchie,Atlanta,GA,30307,United States,12/18/2011
  123. scott mahood,portland,OR,97214,United States,12/18/2011
  124. Paul Dean,Portland,OR,97212,United States,12/18/2011
  125. Andrea townsend,Portland,OR,97208,United States,12/18/2011
  126. Carol Miille,Milwaukie,OR,97267,United States,12/18/2011
  127. Malaina Guzman,Portland,OR,97220,United States,12/18/2011
  128. Adela Aguilar,MONMOUTH,OR,97361,United States,12/18/2011
  129. Rita Moore,Portland,OR,97203,United States,12/18/2011
  130. Daryl Caggiano Boston, MA 12/18/2011
  131. Kym Cooke Portland, OR 12/18/2011
  132. Lyra Butler-Denman Portland, OR 12/19/2011
  133. Alex Stegner Portland, OR 12/19/2011
  134. Courtney Von Drehle Portland, OR 12/19/2011
  135. Laurie Mercier portland, OR 12/19/2011
  136. Pat Muller Wilsonville, OR 12/19/2011
  137. Swapna Mukhopadhyay Portland, OR 12/19/2011
  138. Jeff Jansen Portland, OR 12/19/2011
  139. Laura Seeton Portland, OR 12/19/2011
  140. Tom Conry Portland, OR 12/19/2011
  141. Cari Coe Portland, OR 12/19/2011
  142. Mark Oldani Portland, OR 12/19/2011
  143. Bruce Bennett Pacifica, CA 12/19/2011
  144. Sandy GENTILOTTI CHADDS FORD, PA 12/19/2011
  145. kelly balderson Portland, OR 12/19/2011
  146. Martin Hart-Landsberg Portland, OR 12/19/2011
  147. Julia Sanders Portland, OR 12/19/2011
  148. Jean Eilers Portland, OR 12/19/2011
  149. Sheila Golden Portland, OR 12/19/2011
  150. Patricia Conway Portland, OR 12/19/2011
  151. bethany dierickx Portland, OR 12/20/2011
  152. Nathan Goldbaum Chicago, IL 12/20/2011
  153. Alan Haggard San Diego, CA 12/20/2011
  154. Cassie Sorensen Portland, OR 12/20/2011
  155. Ryan Coons Edinboro, PA 12/20/2011
  156. Anne Morin Portland, OR 12/20/2011
  157. Eileen Wende Portland, OR 12/20/2011
  158. Kelly Allen Portland, OR 12/20/2011
  159. Heather Mayer Portland, OR 12/20/2011
  160. blair adornato portland, OR 12/20/2011
  161. illona trogub Buffalo Grove, IL 12/20/2011
  162. Kelly Longley Portland, OR 12/21/2011
  163. Brady Bennon Portland, OR 12/21/2011
  164. Leah Miller Portland, OR 12/21/2011
  165. Amber Lane Corvallis, OR 12/21/2011
  166. chevy pham bend, OR 12/21/2011
  167. Kate McNulty Portland, OR 12/21/2011
  168. Ken Rubin Seattle, WA 12/21/2011
  169. Lianne Richland Lake Oswego, OR 12/21/2011
  170. Sharon` Crocker San Jose, CA 12/21/2011
  171. Ivan Evans La Jolla, CA 12/21/2011
  172. ian golash seattle, WA 12/21/2011
  173. JK Vickrey Coos Bay, OR 12/21/2011
  174. Clemency Wings Albuquerque, NM 12/21/2011
  175. Deb Greene Greensboro, NC 12/21/2011
  176. Ann Veu Nakagawa Sacramento, CA 12/21/2011
  177. Thomas Batley Santa Cruz, CA 12/21/2011
  178. Michael Hureaux Seattle, WA 12/22/2011
  179. Sandra Childs Portland, OR 12/22/2011

This entry was posted on December 15, 2011 at 6:14 pm and is filed under Events, News, Outreach. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

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