Missoula County opposes SB 298: Establish right of conscience laws for K-12 public education, up for hearing this afternoon in the Senate Education and Cultural Committee.
A teacher employed by a public school should be required to teach the curriculum standards adopted by the board of public education, the Office of Public Instruction and the school district that has hired them. If teachers have an issue with the curriculum due to their religion, they might consider employment at a different school or explore a different career. SB 298 would hinder education in science and health; cultures and/or religion; Indian education for all; controversial issues such as euthanasia or gun control; and on public education in general. SB 298 would have a detrimental effect on the progression of a child's education.
SB 298 would also require the school to find substitutes to teach curriculum that their teachers opt out of teaching due to their religious beliefs.
This bill would set up conflicts between administration and teachers, teachers and parents because it is impossible to judge what is moral for everyone. There is already a mechanism for parents to opt out of particular topics. Teachers should be professional enough to talk about and remain neutral on any topic regardless of their personal beliefs. We currently expect this of teachers when it comes to politics, science and religious beliefs as they intersect with public education, and we should continue to expect this.
Sent Feb. 24:
ReplyDeleteChair Salomon and Senator O’Brien,
Missoula County opposes SB 298: Establish right of conscience laws for K-12 public education, up for hearing this afternoon in the Senate Education and Cultural Committee.
A teacher employed by a public school should be required to teach the curriculum standards adopted by the board of public education, the Office of Public Instruction and the school district that has hired them. If teachers have an issue with the curriculum due to their religion, they might consider employment at a different school or explore a different career. SB 298 would hinder education in science and health; cultures and/or religion; Indian education for all; controversial issues such as euthanasia or gun control; and on public education in general. SB 298 would have a detrimental effect on the progression of a child's education.
SB 298 would also require the school to find substitutes to teach curriculum that their teachers opt out of teaching due to their religious beliefs.
This bill would set up conflicts between administration and teachers, teachers and parents because it is impossible to judge what is moral for everyone. There is already a mechanism for parents to opt out of particular topics. Teachers should be professional enough to talk about and remain neutral on any topic regardless of their personal beliefs. We currently expect this of teachers when it comes to politics, science and religious beliefs as they intersect with public education, and we should continue to expect this.
Please oppose SB 298.