" listen to other students recite the Mexican flag."

How exactly does one recite a flag? Yeesh.

Okay, I was ready to be outraged, but recitation of cultural touchstones from the country of the target language is hardly PC or even new. We learned "La Marseillaise" (French national anthem) and sang it in HS when I took French.

So do you guys think that noncompliance, refusing to do an assignment, is generally okay? Or only when it's about another country's song or pledge? (I don't like the Pledge at all, and I don't do it, so I get it. But I'm curious.) I admire the alternate suggestion by the student: the US Pledge in Spanish, but I would think that's wrong (from the "patriotic" perspective), and it avoids the cultural touchstone part. A large part of foreign language coursework in HS studies is cultural exploration.

Did she do the alternative assignment offered by the teacher, or was she too "disturbed" by having to watch other kids recite what she wouldn't? There was a way for her to avoid the zero.

How would this be different if a kid refused to study evolution because it was against his or her beliefs, or would it be different?

What about a unit on MMGW?

What about various social studies units?

What about a banned book in English class, or rather a book that used to be banned and is problematic in the child's or parent's eyes? Assume that it's a classic of American literature (say, Huck Finn).

"Requiring a pledge to another country is not okay in a school American taxpayers fund. Sorry, but you sang the French anthem in French class. This student rightly asserted herself.'

I'm pretty sure this was in a Spanish class. What's your point?

"Twain has been essentially banned."

Where do you live? that book is still taught in schools all over the country. Not in every school but in a great many.

"He used the dreaded "N-word" and as such can not be taught."

Yes, he did, and yes, it can. N---- Jim is arguably the moral center of the novel. The use of the word is reflective of the time and done with a purpose that is not to serve racism. Anyone who thinks otherwise has it wrong.

"Hence American history and literature are not being taught."

What country do you live in? Where I live, we teach and learn American history and literature.

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of political correctness, and no other views will be permitted..."

You're just silly. Troll much?

I think you misunderstood my post. Maybe you should try again if you're going to bother to respond.

Maybe we need some kind of reading comprehension test. Rcade, what say you?

"It deserves respect when the alligence is being spoken."

Read it again: the author said RECITE the flag, not RESPECT the flag. That was my point: crappy writing. I understand the argument about respecting the flag, whether or not I agree with all the manifestations. (I do not pledge allegiance to anything, in my job or otherwise. But I respect those who do, and I foster respect for others' beliefs.)

"If she had been given an alternate assignment and that was the end of the matter, it wouldn't be a big deal. But the kid stood up for her values and ended up being kicked out of the class and assigned a failing grade. That's indefensible."

Good point, but see my earlier comment: "Did she do the alternative assignment offered by the teacher, or was she too "disturbed" by having to watch other kids recite what she wouldn't? There was a way for her to avoid the zero."

"If you're going to be childish about it and pretend that reciting a pledge actually matters, just cross your fingers while you're doing it. Childish problem, childish solution. Problem solved."

Or in my situation, just don't do it. But I don't have a consequence for not doing it. Other than people looking at me funny.

21: Well-put, Joe. A bit surprising, but well-put. : )

" If we teach about Nazi Germany should we force them to yell sieg heil with a straight arm salute?"

There could be a purpose to that. I'd want to see the lesson plan, particularly the objectives of the lesson. : )

"Seems to me maybe they should have been singing the Spanish national anthem and pledging allegiance to the Spanish flag."

I agree, but foreign-language teachers often go with the more "local" culture of the target language. Up here, we do trips to Montreal...

"Does "progressive" salute of raising arm and announcing, "Heil Barackus Caesar.""

If you're gonna troll me, at least make it funny. Talk to 101 for lessons. And your own "Obummus Caesar" was much funnier than "Barackus Caesar."

"The district says covering the topic would address questions young students may face about their own sexual orientation and would help prevent bullying."

That seems crazy. I understand teaching kids about what's private (safety!), but sex ed as in orientation or acts at the age of 5 or 6--yeah, nuts. (I just blew Jest's little assumptive mind.)

"And for the record, no matter how many times I repeated it in French class, my aunt's pen was not and never was on the window."

LMAO!

"You sure did! Took me twenty minutes to recover. However, did you have to include the adjective, "little?""

Yes. Well, it was satisfying anyway. Do you have to say the much worse crap you say to me? : )

"I'm also disappointed that I didn't get the twelve or thirteen paragraphs of rationaliztions I was expecting. You did it just to mess me up, right?"

That would be telling.

Hey, Mats, this part was indeed funny: "You did it just to mess me up, right?"

See my answer, which is at least as funny (but dry, like a martini done right).

There's a Tea Party pledge? Weird. As noted above, it would depend on context. And frequency. I don't like my older son doing the regular Pledge every day, but he is given the choice, and he chooses to do it. I don't like my younger son doing a prayer every morning and afternoon, but it's part of the culture of the school (he is not given a choice).

1Eye, reading is fundamental. Brenda is the student's name (hence Et Al's joke).

""Much the way Superman's enemy Mr. Mxyzptlk had to return to his home dimension when tricked into saying his name backwards, any American who says the Mexican pledge becomes a Mexican - regardless of intent."

Then it must be REALLY easy for immigrants to the US to become citizens. Just say some words, eh?

Oh, you were joking? Yeesh, I hope so.

"That's what made the whole thing unassailable."

An A for you!

"and there are plenty of lefty teachers in Texas,,,"

Does that mean there are plenty of righty teachers in Massachusetts? : )