California legislators recently removed language from a
controversial bill that could require public school social studies
texts to include the contributions of homosexuals to society, but
some local educators are wary of proponents’ vows to bring back the
proposal in the future, and question whether such material is
appropriate for their students.
California legislators recently removed language from a controversial bill that could require public school social studies texts to include the contributions of homosexuals to society, but some local educators are wary of proponents’ vows to bring back the proposal in the future, and question whether such material is appropriate for their students.
“I am absolutely sick and tired of the children of California being used as pawns for social engineering,” San Benito County Superintendent of Schools Tim Foley said.
The bill, SB 1437, originated as an effort to have the contributions of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community “accurately portray(ed) in an age-appropriate manner” in all social studies textbooks adopted by public schools in California. Gay rights organizations across the country have compiled lists detailing historically significant figures who were either openly gay or were reported to have homosexual relations – some more than 500 strong. Alexander the Great, Socrates, Leonardo da Vinci, Gertrude Stein and Walt Whitman are but a few names that appear time and time again.
The proposal, which was introduced by State Sen. Sheila Kuehl, who is openly gay, was the subject of considerable controversy. Due to the likelihood of a veto from the governor, the bill was amended Monday to remove language calling for textbook changes.
Rather, SB 1437 now reads that “No teacher shall give instruction nor shall a school district sponsor any activity that reflects adversely upon” the GLBT community and that “No textbook or other instructional materials shall be adopted by the state board or by any governing board for use in the public schools that contains any matter reflecting adversely upon” the GLBT community.
The bill is an addition to existing law that already prohibits adopting textbooks or behaving in a way that discriminates against any “race or ethnicity, gender, disability, nationality or religion.” The amended SB 1437 simply adds sexual orientation to the list.
“It seems to me the proposed legislation is self-contradictory, and thus bad law. It is designed to keep textbooks, activities, and instruction out of public schools that ‘reflect adversely upon persons because of their’ – to quote just a part of the list – ‘sexual orientation or religion,'” wrote Jim Achilles, Senior Pastor of Grace Bible Church, in an e-mail. “Does that mean a negative truth about homosexuality can never be taught? Or an unpleasant incident in history that ‘reflects adversely’ on a major religion?”
Proponents of the bill, however, say legislation to recognize the contributions of the GLBT community in the history books will reappear sometime in the future. The senate’s final recess commences on Aug. 31.
“We would absolutely welcome that or any textbook reform,” Anzar High School Principal Charlene McKowen said. “And there’s a lot of room for reform, particularly with our history books.”
Though not expressly part of the curriculum, McKowen said that both students and staff were comfortable with discussing the contributions of GLBT individuals to history or literature in class, as well as modern-day issues.
San Benito High School social sciences teacher Chuck Schallhorn expressed dismay that the issues addressed in SB 1437 even needed to be legislated.
“It’s another move to put into law behavior that’s non-discriminatory,” he said. “And it’s sad that we have to make laws in order for it to stop.”
He added that he was in favor of lessons that cover a historical figure’s sexuality, provided it had a direct correlation to the individual’s contributions to society.
“You have to look at aspects of their life experience that impacted their decisions – do you think Harriet Tubman would have started the underground railroad if she were white?” he said. “If it applies to the context of what they did, it would be significant. It’s almost impossible to study Oscar Wilde without taking into account that he was a homosexual, for example.”
Marguerite Maze Middle School social studies teacher Jan Grist said she did not think material dealing with the sexual orientation of historical figures was appropriate for students in the age range she works with.
“In my opinion, it’s a non-issue. It really has no business being in a classroom for 11-, 12- and 13-year-olds, or even high school students, really,” she said. “I think college is the appropriate time to really start delving into that sort of thing, if you’re interested. So there’s one more reason to go to college.”
All public schools in San Benito County have harassment and discrimination policies already in place designed to protect students and staff from harm based on something like ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation that exist independent of the proposed mandate in SB 1437.
“It is our policy and our belief to not teach anything that would lead toward hatred or discrimination against another, but to teach a respect for all people,” Foley said. The county office serves not only as a liaison for public schools in the county but also is responsible for the curriculum and education of student at San Andreas Continuation High School, Santa Ana Opportunity School and Pinnacles Community School.
As SB 1437 was amended this week, the bill must be re-printed to reflect those changes, then return to the Assembly for another vote.
“Discrimination against religious people or homosexuals should never be tolerated – nor should restrictions of free speech and academic liberty,” wrote Achilles. “And that’s what these proposals would promote.”
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or [email protected]
