Milliken, CO - The board of a charter school has now voted to dismiss a teacher after receiving a letter from Liberty Counsel pointing out that the teacher violated Steve and Deanne Aochi's parental rights by ignoring a request to excuse their daughter from a graphic discussion about sex.

The Aochi's daughter, Haley, attends Knowledge Quest Academy. Mrs. Aochi requested that her daughter be excused from sex education instruction. However, based on a conversation with physical education teacher Joel Chase, Mrs. Aochi believed that the school required her daughter to complete a sex education test. Mrs. Aochi completed the test with her daughter, but they did not answer several questions that Mrs. Aochi believed inappropriate for a 13-year-old seventh grader. Mrs. Aochi also requested that Haley be excused from any discussion of the test. Mr. Chase expressly ignored the request and led the class in a discussion of sexual practices, reproduction, and his personal views on dating. He even tried to convince Haley to change answers on the test she completed with her mother to reflect his own viewpoint.

In a letter to the school on behalf of the Aochi family, Liberty Counsel requested the Board take appropriate and immediate action to ensure no further violations of parental rights. The Board promptly responded by dismissing the teacher.

Parents have an interest protected by the Constitution to direct the education of their children. In addition, when certain educational requirements directly collide with the sincerely-held religious beliefs of parents, schools must demonstrate a compelling justification for refusing to accommodate the parents' desire for an opt-out from sex education classes.

Anita Staver, President of Liberty Counsel, commented: "The right of parents to educate their own children according to their religious and moral objectives is of paramount importance. The Aochis are pleased that the school board took swift and appropriate action by dismissing the teacher who tried to indoctrinate their daughter with his own views on dating and sexual practices. Teachers must understand that they are not de facto parents."

Support Liberty Counsel's defense of parental rights

Law School Seeking to Place Students in the Workplace

In less than one year, May 2007, Liberty University School of Law will graduate an energetic class of students whose legal education, accomplishments and work experience have received outstanding feedback from employers, judges and practitioners.

Mathew Staver, founder of Liberty Counsel and interim dean of the law school, wants legal professionals around the country to be aware of this group of Christian law school students. "I want to encourage employers seeking well-qualified legal professionals to browse our website (www.law.liberty.edu) to learn more about these students," Mr. Staver stated.

Legal professionals who would like more information or would like to schedule interviews on campus at the School of Law in Lynchburg, Va., should call the Center for Career & Professional Development (434-592-5300) at Liberty University.

"At Liberty," Mr. Staver said, "we believe the legal profession is a worthy and exalted calling. Our faculty and administration are fully committed to training future generations in the rule of law. Our students receive rigorous legal instruction and are taught superb writing, research, and advocacy skills, all within the context of the Christian intellectual tradition."

Discover why the law school, which was granted provisional approval by the American Bar Association in only 18 months, is earning a national reputation for excellence. Visit www.law.liberty.edu.

We Praise the Lord for our Friends at TMA ...

TMA Inc. International
2916 N. Oak St. Valdosta, GA 31602
TMA is a team of Christ-centered design professionals
committed to excellence in architecture, planning and service from
concept through occupancy for JESUS' sake.
Hebrews 11:1
For a Free CD about TMA, call 1-800-932-6124 or Email:[email protected]