Cannot contact their elected representatives if part of a class assignment. Texas legislators hating on the 1st amendment. I can’t believe this law will stand up to even the slightest scrutiny so why pass BS like this. Texas guts ‘woke civics’. Now kids can't engage in a key democratic process Tucked into page 8 is a stipulation outlawing all assignments involving “direct communication” between students and their federal, state or local officials Students are now banned from advocating for something like a stop sign in front of their school,” Talarico said.
While I agree its a dumb law, it doesnt ban kids from freely contacting anyone. It just bans it as a class assignment, correct? So not sure if this is a speech issue per se. There are actually a lot of speech limits in a classroom that don't exist outside of one. (Swearing, hateful speech etc) This law is stupid, but maybe not illegal? Regardless, politicians gotta politic.
As a fifth grader I interviewed a state senator for background info to prepare for a class debate. That would be banned speech in Texas now. Telling students whom they can talk to is a clear 1st amendment violation in my view and is pretty far down the slippery slope to oppressive government.
Are they telling kids that though? I read it as they are telling teachers not to assign it, but kids can freely do as they wish. Again, I totally agree with you on the stupidity of the law. I just am not sure it can be a speech issue if the kid is free to contact whomever they wish in their free time. A lot of free speech is limited within a classroom that would be allowed outside of it.
I'm guessing they dont want teachers assigning something that involves the student asking the elected official what they are doing about school shootings, or something like that. That's the only possible thing I can imagine
As if a 16 year old writing to rep is gojng to change anything? The only thing it will do is make them less civically engaged, which is bad for the country. I remember when I was in maybe 5th grade? Pre internet, my teacher has us each pick a state, and write to their tourism board for info on their state. I had South Carolina, and they actually sent me back some cool documentation , maps etc. it was one of the highlights of that year, learning the power of the pen. Every kid should get that experience. But gays and whatnot…
OK. Maybe so. Not any more palatable though. It’s intent is to limit push back/opposition from the masses. Engaged youngsters are too woke. The sections of the 2021 law limiting civic engagement pull directly from model legislationauthored by the conservative scholar Stanley Kurtz, whose extensive writings seek to link an approach called “action civics” – what he calls “woke civics” – with leftist activism. Generation Citizen’s method has been studied by several academic researchers who found participants experienced boosted civic knowledgeand improvements in related academic areas like history and English. Kurtz, however, contends the projects “tilt overwhelmingly to the left”.
Semi related, when I was a senior in high school I was a really good TV production student. I was asked to play hooky by my assistant principal and travel with him to Tallahassee to do camera production work for some assignment he was doing to get his Masters degree. I got to interview Jeb Bush and Lt Governor Brogan. Both super nice guys, especially Brogan. But yeah, best part of the story was my asst principal asking me to skip school.
I have the fundamental right to communicate with my representative, irrespective of whether my intention is to offer praise or express criticism. Restricting or prohibiting criticism would impede the principles of free speech. This right also extends to situations where my motivation stems from a homework assignment or any other context
Subjects, not citizens it's the gop way. Authoritarian control freaks who like to bark about "liberty".
Schools can impose dress codes, language restrictions, gun carry, and a thousand other things that are protected by the constitution. This will stand unfortunately I believe.
