What a mess.
Looks like it will be up to Meagan to help clarify this a bit when she gets back from Va.
Well, Stefan at the
www.nemx.org site has gotten in touch with the school and here is their take on it:
Hello all,
I received a phonecall from Mr Conro (the principal of Coventry High School) earlier today. It appears that this
is a possible misunderstanding. Several things have come to light:
1. Meagan and her dad have not taken this to the principal (or vice-principal) in an effort to resolve this, but
instead went directly to the Board of Education.
2. The assignment is a standard assignment that teaches children to argue a point convincingly. The state
education tests that Meagan has to take at some stage in her school career will do exactly the same. Now,
apparently (according to the principal who has discussed it with Meagan's counsillor at the school and the
head of the English department) her grade was failed NOT due to the contents, but the style. She had to stick
to the rule of 3 (3 verifiable sources have to be mentioned in the piece), which may be something she didn't
do.
3. The piece was an either pro or con piece. This means that Meagan could convincingly argue that
motocross and ATVs are not a source of major pollution, and quote the sources that support that claim.
Mr Conro has assured me that if Meagan and her parents wish to discuss the issue, they are more than
welcome to contact him to ensure that the issue is resolved amicably.
So, in essence, this is a misunderstanding of rather strange proportions. I think if Meagan and her dad speak
to Mr. Conro first and try to resolve the problem before going to the press, so much the better.
The spectre of people using the children in their care to further their own political views is however horrifying. It
should never happen.
-Stefan
I'll make sure that as more information comes to light, I will share it.
For once, I would truely like to have been wrong on this one and have it end up being a misunderstanding.
Stefan could not be more correct when he said that "It should never happen"
-Mark