Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Hugo and Nebula Award Winner Called 'Pornographic'


Schofield teacher on leave after parent complains of 'pornographic' book. (Aiken Standard, 3/21/2012) 

Excerpt:    A Schofield Middle School teacher has been placed on administrative leave while officials investigate whether the teacher breached school policy or the law when he read to his class from a science fiction book described by one parent as pornographic. 

Sources said the teacher read from three books, among them"Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card, as part of the district's literacy initiative program. Card's 1985 novel won several science fiction awards and is listed on numerous children's literary review websites as appropriate for children 12 and up. 

The teacher reportedly selected the books, but may have not followed school policy that would require the books first be reviewed. 

Joy Shealy, school district academic officer for middle schools, said there is a policy that defines steps teachers ought to take when presenting supplemental material.

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