Tom Sawyer stays in school – optionally

Local school administrators have clarified their stance on “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.”

After spending “about” $6,700 (originally reported as $5,000) for 750 copies of the Mark Twain classic for each of the district’s eighth graders and subsequently deciding it wasn’t appropriate as required reading material, they’ve graciously given teachers up to the task the green light to engage their students in issues of language and racial stereotype that the book invokes.

Meanwhile, teachers who shy from such incendiary issues were given a pass.

I guess here in Cedar Rapids, it’s ok if some children are left behind. Except, as a wise friend of mine noted, Tom Sawyer is not on the test.

According to the Gazette, “A committee will be formed to make sure the process used to identify instructional materials, including an all-class novel, aligns with district policy. It will include a language arts teacher from each secondary building and others, such as administrators and special education teachers. Community input also will be sought.”

Such is the state of education in America.

God save our kids.