The First Amendment and Schools
- Seventy-one percent of the educators surveyed would not allow students to report on controversial issues in school newspapers without the approval of school officials.
- A majority of teachers and administrators don't think that students should be allowed to distribute religious or political materials at school.
- Ninety-two percent of those surveyed would not allow students to wear T-shirts with a message that others might find offensive.
- Ninety percent of the educators favored the installation of blocking software on school computers to prevent student access to potentially inappropriate or offensive Web sites.
Despite their concerns about some forms of student expression, educators overwhelmingly support student involvement in developing school rules.
The survey is part of a new initiative—First Amendment Schools—between ASCD and the First Amendment Center. The multiyear project has four objectives: to create consensus guidelines for applying the five freedoms of the First Amendment in public schools; to develop schools in every region of the United States where First Amendment principles are understood and applied throughout the school culture; to encourage curriculum reforms that reinvigorate and deepen teaching about the First Amendment in civic education; and to educate school leaders, teachers, school board attorneys, and other stakeholders in public schools on the meaning and significance of First Amendment principles and ideals. Contact Mike Wildasin at 703-575-5475 for more information.
ASCD Resources for "Who is Teaching Our Children?"
- Ashbaker, B., & Morgan, J. (2001). A Teacher's Guide to Working with Paraeducators and Other Classroom Aides. Price: $15.95 (member); $18.95 (nonmember). Stock No. 100236.
- Gordon, S. P., & Maxey, S. (2000). How to Help Beginning Teachers Succeed (2nd ed.). Price: $10.95 (member); $13.95 (nonmember). Stock No. 100217.
- Scherer, M. (Ed.). (1999). A Better Beginning: Supporting and Mentoring New Teachers. Price: $21.95 (member); $25.95 (nonmember). Stock No. 199236.
- May 2000 theme issue on Keeping Teaching Fresh. Price: $6 (member and nonmember). Stock No. 100031.
- May 1999 theme issue on Supporting New Teachers. Price: $6 (member and nonmember). Stock No. 199029.
- Mentoring the New Teacher (Videos 1–8). (1994). Includes Dealing with Students' Personal Problems, Classroom Discipline, Dealing with Individual Differences, Motivating Students, Planning Classwork, Lack of Instructional Resources, Parent Relations, and Evaluating Student Work. Price: $685 (member); $785 (nonmember). Stock No. 494002.
- Mentoring to Improve Schools (Video Set). (2000). Includes Successful Mentoring Programs and Effective Mentoring Practices. Price: $396 (member); $466 (nonmember). Stock No. 498323.
- Schools as Communities (Video Set). (1999). Includes Teachers and Students Build a Successful School and Community Members and Parents Build a Successful School Community. Price: $396 (member); $466 (nonmember). Stock No. 499267.
Classroom Leadership Conference
It's no secret that gifted teachers use the best instructional practices every day. ASCD's 2001 Classroom Leadership Conference, July 12–14, in Orlando, Florida, gathers award-winning teachers from every grade level and subject, allows them to demonstrate their winning approaches for the classroom, and provides an open forum for all teachers to share their strategies, ask questions, and exchange insights about the teaching and learning process.
- Heidi Hayes Jacobs, educational consultant from Rye, New York, will focus on how to raise the level of classroom leadership through revised curriculum designs and revitalized instructional patterns.
- Edna O'Connor, Executive Director of Oak Hill Academy in Laurel, Maryland, will inspire educators to rededicate their lives and profession to those philosophies, practices, and resources that foster excellence and equity in education for all students.
More information on the conference is available at the ASCD Web site (www.ascd.org).
For Your Calendar
- 2002: San Antonio, March 9–11
- 2003: San Francisco, March 8–10
- 2004: New Orleans, March 20–22
- A Workshop for the New Teacher: How to Learn from Seasoned Pros and Apply It to the Classroom2001: Orlando, July 11
- Curriculum Mapping: Training of Trainers2001: Minneapolis, July 31–August 2
