The dual origins of the “No Partisan Instruction” bill

by David Safier

A big hat tip to Debbie Reese who writes on the American Indians in Children's Literature blog out of New Mexico and has been a contributor to the discussion about the MAS controversy.

Reese pointed me to the first signs of the "No Partisan Instruction" bill Lori Klein is sponsoring. Its first mention, so far as I know, was in the January, 2012, newsletter from TU4SD (Tucsonans United for Sound Districts) run by Lori Hunnicutt, a serious hater of MAS.

"TU4SD has proposed the following piece of legislation. It is modeled on ARS 15-535 (Sectarian instruction prohibited)"

This is 15-535 in its entirety:

15-535. Sectarian instruction prohibited

A teacher who uses sectarian or denominational books or teaches any sectarian doctrine or conducts any religious exercises in school is guilty of unprofessional conduct and his certificate shall be revoked.

The first line of the TU4SD version is almost identical:

"A teacher who uses partisan books and/or partisan materials or teaches any partisan doctrine or conducts any partisan exercises in school is guilty of unprofessional conduct and his certificate shall be revoked."

Interesting. ARS 15-535 is a "separation of church and state" measure. Are Hunnicutt and Klein suggesting separation of partisanship and state?

You can read the page from the TU4SD newsletter below the fold.