Nashville Prep is one of those total compliance chain gang schools where children are treated more like prisoners than pupils. Despite the propaganda spread by the school regarding its top testing status, state testing shows a more mixed picture (Blue is highest, red is lowest). Note the direction test results take over time.
But this is not about Nashville Prep's propaganda but, rather, its arrogant and ignorant decision to, 1) select a high school novel for middle school students to read, and 2) to censor parts of the novel without regard to the the integrity of the work or to the lesson being provided to students.
Are students to learn, even in middle school, that the paternalistic authorities have the right to "redact" anything they feel is inappropriate for citizens to read?
Of all the great novels written with the interests and developmental needs of middle school students in mind, why butcher a good novel written for mature readers and serve up the mangled carcass to children as if it is a feast?
No process, no consultation, no humility. Just arrogance, stupidity, and an over-riding need to control. Story here in the Tennessean.
Are students to learn, even in middle school, that the paternalistic authorities have the right to "redact" anything they feel is inappropriate for citizens to read?
Of all the great novels written with the interests and developmental needs of middle school students in mind, why butcher a good novel written for mature readers and serve up the mangled carcass to children as if it is a feast?
No process, no consultation, no humility. Just arrogance, stupidity, and an over-riding need to control. Story here in the Tennessean.
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