Utah parents, educators, and other tax-paying citizens should log onto the website of the Utah Board of Education and consider the stated objectives of teaching and learning in public schools.
The extremely misguided opinions and statements of some candidates for the state board of education should be alarming to any reasonable parent or citizen.
The language in the “Personalized Learning” section of the website suggests that public school should “empower and enable educators, parents, and community members with options to support all Utah students.” It states common sense objectives such as a “focus on equity” and to “encourage student voice and choice.” The objective to “recognize the diverse backgrounds of each student” particularly caught my attention.
Radical and emotionally charged rhetoric by candidates who state openly that they are “sickened” by some students, and who state their opposition to being “more inclusive” of some students should cause grave concern for advocates of public school. Education is the process of broadening and expanding children’s understanding, social and emotional development, and learning skills to function in society.
We have recently seen the effect of students being isolated, ignored, bullied, singled out and identified as “different.” Every child — every child — is unique and comes to school with his or her specific challenges, characteristics, talents, and, above all, the hope of being recognized and appreciated. Efforts to label, stigmatize or define a child as someone who doesn’t belong or who doesn’t comport to a school board member’s idea of what is “normal” is cruel and destructive.
Let’s ensure that we elect responsible citizens who follow the objectives stated by educational professionals and avoid entrusting our children to the whims and personal grudges of people who exist in an alternative reality.
Mark E. Hurst, St. George