Parent’s Council: Civil disobedience

Last week, a Seattle teacher was suspended for two weeks for refusing to administer the WASL.

“I performed this single act of civil disobedience based on personal moral and ethical grounds, as well as professional duty. I believe that the WASL is destructive to our children, teachers, schools, and parents,” said the teacher, 60-year-old Carl Chew.

What’s your reaction?

“Good for him! I hope more teachers follow in his footsteps. All the things he has written in his statement are reasons I loathe the WASL and reasons my kids don’t take it.

Do I think he should have stood up for what he believed? Absolutely! More of us need to stand up for our beliefs and hopefully more and more people will join this brave man, because as the article states, he’s not the only teacher who feels this way.” – Posted by Jennine

“On the one hand, I admire the teacher for a gutsy move. He knew there would be ramifications, but he felt strongly about it, and he was willing to accept those ramifications. I admire those who are willing to sign their name to their viewpoints.

“On the other hand – the teacher broke the rules. This is not a good precedent for the students, who need to learn how to change things for the better without breaking rules. Many people who break the rules think they had very good reasons for doing so. Is this something we now encourage? …

“I admire the teacher for having the courage of his convictions, but perhaps there was a more constructive way for him to make his case.” – Posted by Laurie Rogers

Got something to add? Join the conversation at spokesmanreview.com/ blogs/parents.

More summer camps

A couple of camps were accidentally left out of our Summer Camp Guide on April 16. The listings are on page B3.