NOTALENT
12-08-2004, 01:32 PM
I can't believe this..How are they suppost to teach history, and learn about this country if they cant actually teach it in class???
Declaration of Independence Banned from California School
By Michael Illions
Talon News
November 25, 2004
A fifth-grade teacher at a San Francisco area elementary school has found himself at the center of a firestorm with his principal and the school district over the Declaration of Independence.
Steven Williams, a teacher at Stevens Creek School, filed a lawsuit on Monday in U.S. District Court in San Jose and claims violations of his right to free speech under the First Amendment.
Williams has been barred from giving out copies of the Declaration of Independence to his students by the school's principal, Patricia Vidmar, because it refers to God. Principal Vidmar has also required that Mr. Williams clear all his lessons first with her.
This has led to other materials that refer to God or Christianity being rejected, such as George Washington's journal, John Adams' diary, Samuel Adams' "The Rights of the Colonists," and William Penn's "The Frame of Government of Pennsylvania."
William's attorney, Terry Thompson, claims his client is being singled out for being a Christian.
"It's a fact of American history that our founders were religious men, and to hide this fact from young fifth-graders in the name of political correctness is outrageous and shameful," Thompson said according to Reuters.
"Williams wants to teach his students the true history of our country," Thompson continued. "There is nothing in the Establishment Clause [of the U.S. Constitution] that prohibits a teacher from showing students the Declaration of Independence."
According to Reuters, Principal Vidmar could not be reached for comment, but an assistant superintendent for the School District, Phyllis Vogel, would only say that the lawsuit has been forwarded to a staff attorney and offered no other comment.
Declaration of Independence Banned from California School
By Michael Illions
Talon News
November 25, 2004
A fifth-grade teacher at a San Francisco area elementary school has found himself at the center of a firestorm with his principal and the school district over the Declaration of Independence.
Steven Williams, a teacher at Stevens Creek School, filed a lawsuit on Monday in U.S. District Court in San Jose and claims violations of his right to free speech under the First Amendment.
Williams has been barred from giving out copies of the Declaration of Independence to his students by the school's principal, Patricia Vidmar, because it refers to God. Principal Vidmar has also required that Mr. Williams clear all his lessons first with her.
This has led to other materials that refer to God or Christianity being rejected, such as George Washington's journal, John Adams' diary, Samuel Adams' "The Rights of the Colonists," and William Penn's "The Frame of Government of Pennsylvania."
William's attorney, Terry Thompson, claims his client is being singled out for being a Christian.
"It's a fact of American history that our founders were religious men, and to hide this fact from young fifth-graders in the name of political correctness is outrageous and shameful," Thompson said according to Reuters.
"Williams wants to teach his students the true history of our country," Thompson continued. "There is nothing in the Establishment Clause [of the U.S. Constitution] that prohibits a teacher from showing students the Declaration of Independence."
According to Reuters, Principal Vidmar could not be reached for comment, but an assistant superintendent for the School District, Phyllis Vogel, would only say that the lawsuit has been forwarded to a staff attorney and offered no other comment.