Poll: Mixed views on gay education law

“This has no place in the education system. If these people (especially Leno) want to recognize that fact that they are gay or whatever, then they should just make it apparent on their own. Who cares what the sex is or was of someone who made a contribution to society? This is nothing more than a ploy to advance their own agenda. I say no way.” “While I applaud the many accomplishments and contributions of the LGBT community (as well as those of other disenfranchised or marginalized groups), I honestly believe that our beleaguered educators cannot feasibly add anything else to their currently reduced schedules. Dump math? Science? English? Focus on the basics, folks, and if/when the economy recovers and public education is fully funded again, look at incorporating these teachings (and others) into the curriculum. What was Jerry Brown thinking?” “I’ve always thought it was nobody’s business who’s sleeping with whom and don’t see where someone’s sexual preference is significant to anything they may have achieved. As a bisexual myself, I don’t actually agree with this law and I wonder if the authors of this law realize that the people they may be talking about don’t desire at all to have their sex lives discussed. For instance, does anyone know for sure that Amelia Earhart was gay (there have been rumors only) and who’s to say she would have wanted her sexuality discussed in the classroom anyway. We learn about history of different races and cultures and there’s still prejudice.  I’m just saying that if I do anything significant and then am referred to as ‘so-and-so, the bisexual inventor,’ that would bother me.” “This has absolutely nothing to do with bullying, gay bashings, etc. but, I’m not going to go there. My problem is with the state Legislature and the governor. Once again, they put more demands on our public schools without funds to accomplish what they mandate. Irrespective of one’s feelings on the subject matter, isn’t anyone else ticked off at the nincompoops in Sacramento? ” “The inclusion of this information in teaching our students will help children learn how common it is to be gay and how many gay people have made valuable contributions to society. Hopefully, this will reduce bullying.At the other end of things, we hope it will also help LGBT students, who may feel isolated and alone, know that there are many other LGBT people who have had a successful life and that "things are better .

South curriculum undervalues current events ... - The Lion's Roar

, Our centerfold section (pages 16-19) and an opinions piece (page 20) focus on the implications of South students’ general ignorance of current events and solutions to lessen this ignorance. Critical to a country that considers itself a paragon of democracy is a public education system that focuses on producing individuals knowledgeable about world affairs. A functional democracy relies on a citizenry that is up-to-date in regard to current events.

At South, most sophomores learn how many moles of chlorine gas would react with five moles of sodium, even if only a handful of students in the grade pursue chemistry later in their lives. Most of us graduate with rudimentary knowledge of trigonometry, but without any intention of becoming engineers. Of course, all of our classes serve vital roles in the development of our critical thinking skills. But subjects such as stoichiometry and trigonometry are arbitrary. In this respect, basic appreciation and comprehension of current events are far less random and far more consequential subjects to study.Those of us who are going to be chemists and engineers - and those of us who are going to be lawyers, mechanics, retail sales associate, or any other profession - should all still have an understanding of basis of the contemporary world affairs. Although the top news stories of today may have been forgotten by the end of the year, the perspective and experience of people earn a precedent by discussing with knowledge of the affairs of the world in our young lives .

However, only seniors signed enough for the course of history elective understanding of the contemporary world to fill a section of the class this year. So why are so few students interested in current events? And why does our school do so little to promote academic interest in them? For one thing, the textbook for a true current events class would be a newspaper. The teacher would have no more of an idea than his or her students would about the topic of discussion for the next class.

Setting aside the impracticalities of a current events class, The Roar agrees that teachers, as well-informed citizens, should make a more concerted effort to discuss current events in the classroom.In the same way that parents read to their young children in the hope they will find pleasure and wisdom in the literature, our teachers must take it upon themselves to share their knowledge and educate enlightened thinkers able to appreciate the importance of world events - even though these events may not have a direct impact on our lives.