Michelle Reid, Superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools on Friday, March 21st, gave her opinion about a controversial set of politically-oriented posters which had been recently displayed in the halls of West Springfield High School. The display was deemed appropriate and commendable. The principal of the school, as well as the students and teachers involved, acted in a proper manner. The outcry of some people that the posters were offensive and a one-sided expression left-leaning “progressive”, opinions has no basis. The Superintendent’s decision can be found here .
The controversy started when the mother of a West Springfield school student, a journalist, published a article that revealed students from a Women’s History class created posters using an “A Is for Apple format” to celebrate Women’s History Month. The display did not celebrate the achievements of women in history, but rather expressed political messages about the world today. This included “A Is for Abortion”, “F Is for Feminism”, “H Is for Hope”, “J Is for Justice”, “L Is for Liberty”, “Q Is for Queer”, and “T Is for Transgender Women”. These posters and others were not balanced by any that spoke of conservative women or conservative value. The display did not include “A Is for Adoption,” “A Is for Astronaut Women,” “L Is for Liberty,” featuring Winsome Sears and Pamela Bondi, or “P Is for Preserve private places for girls.”
The article by the journalist pointed out the obvious bias in the “history display”. She was followed by an article in Fairfax Schools Monitor (HERE) and letters from citizens. Her article also received publicity in the national news media. Some objectors claimed that the teacher who teaches the Women’s History course is a leftist ideologue, who uses the class to reinforce and instill leftist propaganda. Other articles, such as the Fairfax Schools Monitor article, have pointed out that these posters are in violation of the school system’s Controversial Issues Regulation (33280.4), which is meant to ensure objectivity and neutrality when messages are sent in schools.
The Superintendent was not at all concerned. In her decision, she describes the posters as being “creative,” “thoughtful,” and “a good example” of “critical-thinking.”
The Superintendent’s message is notable for not doing any of the following things:
- No one acknowledges that the community may have legitimate concerns. The Superintendent’s decision can be interpreted to mean that she believes objectors are against “critical thinking” or “thoughtful dialog.”
- The Superintendent does not discuss the course’s content, nor has he shown that he has investigated it to see if it is a legitimate history lesson, or merely a way of instilling activist ideas into young minds about the world today. There is no indication that Superintendent took seriously the allegations that the teacher is a leftist ideologist. The Superintendent’s statement seems to have given her “full trust” in her teaching abilities without any investigation into her conduct.
- The FCPS Controversial Issues Regulation is not mentioned, despite the fact that it applies to these issues. The regulation states that an issue becomes controversial when there are “substantial disagreements about it” and “strong emotions and intense feelings on the part individuals or groups.” Teachers and administrators must ensure the topic is discussed “as objectively and impartially as possible,” providing “multiple perspectives.” She was made aware of this issue but chose to ignore it in her remarks. She decided that posters promoting abortions, Democrat politicians and Palestinian causes are not controversial. aren’t controversial? She said that West Springfield’s principal had been consulted, and she decided that the posters offered “multiple perspectives”. Evidently not. She ignores it.
Unstated in the Superintendent’s remarks is that students must be allowed to express themselves. This is a fact that no one questions. When classrooms or school property are used to express political views, there must be countervailing policies. The Controversial Issues Regulation recognizes teachers’ and administrators’ obligation to ensure displays such as the so-called Women’s History Posters are not biased.
In this case, the Superintendent has clearly no interest in enforcing FCPS policies. Would her reaction be similar if a conservative group of students used school hallways for promoting their views on abortion, gun control, private lockers for girls, Republican vs. Democrat politician, etc. These opinions would be viewed as “critical,” “creative,” and “thoughtful” by the FCPS leadership.
It was sad and disappointing that the outcome of this “investigation”, in this case, was predictable.
