Big Brother Arrives At US School District
May 25, 2006 (3 Responses)
IN A MOVE WHICH HAS CAUSED some parents to complain that the district is invading the privacy of students and overstepping its bounds, an Illinois school district has created a new rule that will punish students for web postings that depict underage drinking, smoking or other “illegal or inappropriate behavior”.
The main reason the parents are objecting is that the School is forcing parents and school kids alike to sign up to a type of ‘code of conduct’ agreement which, if breached, will result in penalties. The big problem however is that it relates to time and activities *outside* school hours and control. Parents believe it is their job to police and govern their own kids outside of school hours – but it seems this particular school district has other ideas.
Essentially this is a US school taking a big brother approach to things. If a student is found to have (for example) published a personal blog site which breaches anything the school sets down as “appropriate”, that student will likely then face punishment by the school.
Community High School District 128 Associate Superintendent Prentiss Lea says the changes are “part of an effort to get parents, teachers and students more aware of the potential pitfalls of such websites as MySpace.com“. Personally I think this is a step too far.
Exactly what right does a school have in determining what a student does outside of school hours? That’s like your Government telling you what you can and cannot think… oh wait, that’s old news now isn’t it? 
Sadly, these “educators” aren’t the only ones with no sense. I just heard a radio report on a school district that has banned Cinderella because the “bad” sisters are “ugly” and the good sister is “pretty”. YIKES!
Are you sure you don’t want to move over here. It’s a laugh a minute I tell ya.
I reckon it’s more like a “loon” a minute OP
You think this is bad you should have experienced the Romas.