School board votes to fire teacher who read book on gender identity to Georgia fifth-graders

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School board votes to fire teacher who read book on gender identity to Georgia fifth-graders | CNN
cnn.com

A suburban Atlanta school board has voted to terminate the contract of a teacher who read a book about gender identity to gifted fifth-graders – the latest salvo in a nationwide clash over how issues like gender and race are discussed in public school classrooms.

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For reference, fifth graders are usually around 10 or 11 years old. Gifted or not they're almost certainly intelligent enough for this topic.

According to the article, there is a law that restricts teaching "divisive concepts". That batshit insane. "Divisive" doesn't mean it's inaccurate.

Divisive almost always means liberal in these contexts. I find the bible divisive, but I doubt any teacher would get fired for quoting or even directly reading from it.

It seems that the law in question is pretty focused on not making white people feel uncomfortable about racism.

For reference, fifth graders are usually around 10 or 11 years old. Gifted or not they’re almost certainly intelligent enough for this topic.

I disagree enough to stop lurking and made an account to comment.

Our 8 year old knows that “some people feel they are boys, some feel they are girls, and some don’t feel like they are either.” Honestly it’s not more difficult than that unless you’re purposely making it so.

Also 5th grade is when we (suburban school district in the US) had a district-wide “basic sex ed” information night for students. How is educating about sex okay but not gender for the same age?

They’re are age appropriate ways to talk about these topics to kids like these, and age appropriate materials.

I think you may have added a "not" to my comment that isn't there. I am in full agreement with you.

I think you misread their comment. You're agreeing with what they said.

Funny thing is that the people who are against this are also against sex education.

I remember in 4th grade (age 10) my class was shown “The Movie”, which described basic sexual functions. I distinctly remember the words semen and ejaculation being used, not because I actually learned the meanings, but because I thought they sounded funny. I’d say that the concept gender is actually easier to describe than the biology of sex and reproduction.