CENTREVILLE — Progressive issues including immigration and racism for optional reading units became a topic of discussion as the Queen Anne’s Board of Education approved two out of six recommended books by the Materials of Instruction Committee July 17.
In response to a previous request by the BOE to offer more diverse reading choices, teachers looked at gender gap data and test scores and noted a lack of literary protagonists for Hispanic and bi-racial male students to relate to, according to Bridget Passyn, Supervisor of Instruction.
In an age when English and reading teachers are struggling to get children to read and constantly fighting against cellphones, a selection of proposed new choice unit reading books by the Materials of Instructional Committee was presented to get students who are identified as not reading, particularly boys, to find interesting topics and protagonists to read about, Passyn said.
Passyn stated “schools are microcosms of their society” and that the proposed book selections tackled real issues.
Believing all children should be able to see themselves as the protagonist of a story, having books available with relatable characters and overcoming obstacles helps set a path for future readers and spark a future passion for reading, she said.
Addressing the importance of diverse books for children to see reflections of themselves but also see new perspectives, Passyn used phraseology from renowned literary expert Rudine Sims Bishop. “Whether they see themselves in it as a mirror, or whether they see it as a window, something they can look out to the world and learn something about, or as a door, where they can walk through and get a whole new experience,” Passyn said.
Adopted novels are added into the district’s existing “choice” units in which students can self-select an approved book to examine the texts in small groups.
Referencing synopsis and reviews of the books, board member Marc Schifanelli claimed several of the stories presented a one sided view of “very prominent, very heated social issues” and were “very emotionally driven.”
Three of the six proposed books dealt with immigration, not only a prominent issue nationally but a topic that affects local students in the community Schifanelli said, and noted the effect reading about the hardships of immigration and facing deportation could have on a young mind.
Claiming not to take a side or other in the matter, Schifanelli said several of the proposed books did not showcase a balanced view of illegal immigration by not addressing the otherside of the issue for parents that believe immigration laws should be enforced without an open border policy.
“It seems like these books are presenting one side and I don’t think that’s fair…We shouldn’t be purchasing books that we have to discuss that’s balanced and what’s not balanced,” he said.
Citing 20 years as an attorney in his day job, Schifanelli stated a majority of his practice dealt in immigration and deportation defense and noted reading the secondary novels might bring out additional worries for students who are facing immigration issues and concerns at home.
Choice unit reading books are at parents discretion whether to have their child read it or not, according to Passyn.
“This is just providing additional choices for our students that their parents get to make the decision of whether they feel their child should have permission to read that book,” Superintendent Patricia Saelens said.
Teachers do not take a political side when covering the books, Passyn assured and argued the book selection was balanced and explored the notion of correct means of immigration as two of the potential books address the fact characters are there illegally and are deported without being brought back, she said.
Immigrant stories don’t affect all students but they are stories that were important to tell, Passyn said and books like these also hope to spark interest for future immigration lawyers and policy writers.
“If they can look at a book like this and see a story, albeit fiction, then maybe that will propel them towards making changes,” Passyn said.
Another proposed book on the list was written by Jason Reynolds involving Miles Morales, a popular Spiderman character of the Marvel Comics fame.
The story addresses racism and rising against those who don’t treat others fairly, said Passyn.
One “villainous” character in particular was a history teacher, and Schifanelli noted the book was “not your typical superhero book that I personally believe a boy would be interested in reading, and that’s the whole point.”
Schifanelli agreed on the importance of fighting against issues of unjust laws and behaviors but the district shouldn’t be pushing to non-white students to read books in which they are the victim.
Schifanelli supported the recommended book “City of the Beasts” by Isabel Allende for its adventurous tale into the Amazon.
The goal of the choice unit books is to offer topics to discuss in a safe and controlled space of a classroom, Passyn said. Choice unit reading also typically takes place after teachers are more acquainted with their students, she said.
“My interest is so that students can see themselves in books, to support teachers who want to teach these books, to bring some humanity to the issue and to be able to talk about it in a space place at an age appropriate level,” she said.
According to Passyn, the Materials of Instruction Committee consists of a teacher, a principal, a community member, and one or two current district parents.
Evaluation forms submitted by the Material of Instruction Committee for the choice reading books include prominent themes as well as explanations of any critical issues that arise within the novels.
The books have been available for review for the last 30 days with no public comment made, Passyn said.
The board approved the purchase of two out of the six proposed novels for each of the 6- 12 grade schools’ student choice units: “City of the Beasts” by Isabel Allende and “Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish” by Pablo Cartaya.
Schifanelli requested the committee take a second look at the book recommendations.
The initial request for all six books to be placed in all of the 6-12 grade schools was originally to the tune of $18,340.80 through the Maryland LEADS grant.
The complete list of proposed books is currently on the QACPS website under the English and ELA tab as well as available for checkout in most QACPS libraries, Passyn said.
The Queen Anne’s County Board of Education will next meet for a workshop session July 30 at 5 p.m. and the next regular meeting will be Aug. 7 at 6 p.m.
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