Do you think the Harry Potter books should be banned from both public and private schools?
536053
No.\n\nIt's reading for pleasure.\n\nI have yet to meet a child who read a Harry Potter book and then jumped off a building believe he's got powers.  Children know is for fun.  When we guard our children from EVERYTHING, we are raising them to think they're in this idea world - when they're not.  They have the right to enjoyment!
1121513
Simple, they have to avoid books which parents will find controversial or inapproate for there kids. Many parents over-shelter there kids and force the school board to take the path of lest resistance, with simple boring books. They are in a way politicians are are forced to do the bidding of the people who vote them on the board.
84171
I truly feel that if we all banned together as a "family" ... teachers and parents to alleviate "bad" behavior, it will help kids to grow up knowing that there will be circumstances or punishment for things that they do wrong.  Society has gotten too soft in my opinion ... that's why more and more children are growing up without caring what they do in society, like lying, cheating and stealing.
1020327
SCHOOLS NEED MORE RIGHTS......\nTHEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO EXPELL KIDS FOR ANY BEHAVIOR THAT IS INAPPROPRIATE..... BULLYING INCLUDED...  SCHOOL IS FOR LEARNING NOT SOCIALIZING
1090775
I loved the movies...after seeing the third one I was confused so, I decided to read the books to understand it.  I really like the books now.  I don't know of any little kids or peers of mine that got into wicca after watching harry potter.  That's two completely different things.  My little nephew loves it and he doesn't run around the house trying to kill animals and put them in a cauldron or something like that.  Even though some religions have lots of refrences to sacrifices <the Bible>.  Regardless Harry Potter is a fantasy world, and that's like saying if a little kid watches LOTR and starts pretending to speak elvish that they're trying to convert to being Penecostal.  LMAO  That's the same as comparing HP to any religion you can mention.  I definitely understand people keeping their kids away from things like porn, but who cares if they research wicca, or buddhism, shouldn't it be their choice as to what they believe.  I guess not...it's all about brainwashing your children from the beginning to believe exactly what you were told to believe.   Wow there was my rant for the week.  yikes.
293312
School should get out of private affairs.
297549
Yes, they can say it would invoke controvery and therefore it shouldn't be allowed. Some schools have crosses and jewish stars banned, because it could start religious controversy. But shouldn't schools be teaching these kids to be more tolerant, instead of pretending these problems don't exist?
1160249
As a parent and a teacher, I know both sides and I don't like it.  It has taken away from things I wish my son were experiencing in school.  Things I did- fun things.  I don't like the way it makes my son's school look in the ratings, when I know for a fact that it is a good school.  I wouldn't send my son there if it wasn't.
1087380
As a public school librarian (K-8) I feel it is important to make available all books. However, budget constraints force me to choose mostly books that appeal to the most students. Captain Underpants may not be my choice for a student to read, however, if the students are asking for this title I will order it. What tends to drive my selection more is not self censorship but pressure from parents not to shelve a certain title. I try to preview  most titles for objectionable words, etc. and go from there. When I have a complaint from a parent I remind them that it is easier for them to check their child's book when they get home than for me to know what is acceptable for 500 plus students. An interesting thing to consider is the reverse, do we tend to pick books that appeal to us as a reader? I am a big Civil War buff and my library happens to have a dandy selection of books in the 970 Dewey decimal catagory!!!
256390
As a teacher, I agree for the most part.  Spelling and grammar are horrible, and it's not just from the kids.  I don't think spell checkers should be outlawed though- they'll never know how to spell if they can't see it spelled correctly.  The thing that bothers me the most is how simple the Q's often are.  How stupid do you have to be to NOT know how to find the answers?  I'll give them the algebra- that can be difficult.  It's still stupid to ask for the answers if you're not going to know HOW to solve them though, which will be reflected on their test scores.  The greatest gift we can give them is the information on HOW to find their answers.  You don't have to know everything- you just have to know where to find everything.  Now I'll get off MY soapbox.  I actually used the phrase "greatest gift."  Ugh.
1025502
I believe they should be completely banned.\n\nBut sadly in some cases, they are not.\n\nThis is because of those teachers who do not know how to control their students except by violent methods.
180797
No there are some things that the parents should take responsibility for. Second it might be somewhat OK but I don't want people teaching my kids wrong morals. I think it's sad that parent can't sit down and talk to their kids. I don't want it cheapened by someone who doesn't have the same morals as me or the same beliefs.  Everything is being tainted now adays. They really need to stick with the education that will help them with college and getting the skills they need to go forward. There are also too many groups who would want to put there two cents in and I don't agree. You would have the heterosexual theme then the gay theme and everyone would want equal time given to their preferences. Lets stick to the basics of Reading Writting and arithmetic.
404752
It really depends on what you mean by censored. There definitely has to be some oversight on what our kids are exposed to in school... in fact, I think at times there is too much oversight. But, to say that there should be no censorship or oversight I think would be a mistake. There are too many differing points of view on too many issues. Imagine the chaos that would be caused if the teaching environment was not controlled somehow.
828257
I think it is a great idea.  If the public schools don't do their job, as judged by the parents, the parents should get their per pupil allotment in a voucher to use elsewhere.\n\nIncentive for the school to do better, ability for our children to get better education if private schools can do it better for the same amount.
185431
I know that those Harry Potter books are all over the illegal downloading applications.  I bet it's one of them.
426586
no schools will say they are striving for diversity and that it needed to be read.  If you were allowed to sue over that parents who were racist would be allowed to sue if a book praying blacks in a positive light was read in class.  so it opens up a hole can of worms\nAlso they may of read it because someone in the class has parents like that and they wanted to curb any teasing that may happen
9746
No. You have misinterpreted the situation.\n\nNo one, not even we die-hard atheists believe that the discussion of god or gods should be taken out of the schools. These myths are of historic importance and some of them continue to shape policy in the world today.\n\nWhat we take umbrage with is prayer or sanctioned religious observance in *public* schools. \n\nFrankly, though, taking your question at face value, I think that almost everyone would have a problem with a school administration that asked or forced students into taking part in sacrifices to Zeus. To step back, that is pretty much how we feel about Jehovah.