Case Study Response: Strengthening Curricular Programs

Issues to Be Resolved The primary issue in this case involves a concerned parent who has contacted the district and threatened to involve the media regarding the use of Hatchet by Gary Paulsen and the showing of A Cry in the Wild. The parent deems the material inappropriate and requests that it no longer be used in the classroom. The secondary issue is determining whether Hatchet and its corresponding film align with the district-approved curriculum. Lastly, ensuring that future literary and media selections are appropriately communicated to parents is critical in preventing similar conflicts (Gutek, 2017).

Stakeholders Involved

• The concerned parent and student
• Ms. Kochiyama (5th-grade teacher)
• Other parents of students in the class
• The principal (myself) and school leadership team
• The district superintendent
• The school board (if the issue escalates)

Relevant Laws and Policies One legal consideration is the First Amendment’s protection of academic freedom, balanced against parents’ rights to guide their children’s exposure to educational materials. Court cases such as Mozert v. Hawkins County Board of Education (1987) highlight the tension between school curricula and parental objections, often resulting in accommodations rather than curriculum removal. Additionally, district policies regarding parental rights to review instructional materials, media use in the classroom, and opt-out provisions must be examined to ensure compliance (Russo & Mawdsley, 2020).

Possible Solutions

1. Review District Curriculum and Policies
   • Confirm whether Hatchet is an approved book within the curriculum.
   • Verify the district’s stance on showing movies and required parental consent.
   • Meet with district leadership to align responses with district policy.
2. Address the Immediate Concern
   • Temporarily pause the viewing of A Cry in the Wild.
   • Provide the concerned parent with documentation on the book’s curricular alignment and rationale for its inclusion.
   • Offer an alternative, such as informational texts on survival skills, for the student whose parent objects.
3. Engage Parents and Seek Consent
   • Require written permission from parents before resuming the movie screening.
   • If the majority consent, provide an alternative activity for students whose parents opt out.
   • If the majority do not consent, the movie will not be shown in class.
4. Improve Future Communication and Policy Adherence
   • Implement a policy requiring teachers to notify parents in advance about books and films used in the classroom via newsletters.
   • Provide professional development on selecting and justifying instructional materials while ensuring transparency with parents.
   • Develop a structured review process for potentially controversial materials to mitigate future concerns (Spring, 2018).

Chosen Solutions and Implementation Steps

1. Review District Curriculum and Policies (Timeline: 1-2 Days)
   • Meet with the district curriculum director to confirm Hatchet‘s status (Day 1).
   • Verify district policy regarding media use in classrooms (Day 2).
2. Address Immediate Concerns (Timeline: 2-3 Days)
   • Inform Ms. Kochiyama to pause the movie and provide an alternative assignment (Day 1).
   • Schedule a follow-up meeting with the parent to explain the curricular alignment (Days 2-3).
3. Engage Parents and Seek Consent (Timeline: 1 Week)
   • Send a permission slip regarding the movie to all parents (Days 1-2).
   • Collect and review responses (Days 3-5).
   • Make a final decision on the movie based on parent feedback (Day 6).
4. Improve Future Communication (Timeline: 2-4 Weeks)
   • Draft and distribute a new policy on film and literature notifications (Weeks 1-2).
   • Include reminders in weekly newsletters and faculty meetings (Week 3).
   • Implement a structured review process for future book and media selections (Week 4).

Potential Moral and Legal Consequences

• Ignoring the Parent’s Concern: May escalate the issue to district leaders or media, damaging school reputation.
• Removing the Book/Movie Prematurely: Could undermine teacher autonomy and set a precedent for future parental demands that limit educational choices.
• Failing to Follow District Policies: Might result in administrative actions and loss of trust among parents and faculty.
• Implementing Clearer Communication Strategies: Strengthens parental engagement, prevents future conflicts, and ensures transparency.

By following these steps, the issue can be resolved in a way that upholds curricular integrity, respects parental concerns, and ensures compliance with district policies.

References 

Gutek, G. L. (2017). An historical introduction to American education. Waveland Press.

Russo, C. J., & Mawdsley, R. D. (2020). Education law: Cases and materials. Carolina Academic Press.

Spring, J. (2018). American education. Routledge.