Controversial Book To Remain In HPISD

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HIGHLAND PARK (CBSDFW.COM) - Another book that was under fire in the Highland Park Independent School District will remain on the class syllabus, at least for now.  A committee will be selected to review the book and recommend whether it should be used in the classroom.

The title in question is "The Working Poor" by David K. Shipler. It is a nonfiction book that shares the stories of several Americans who live just above the poverty line. Parent Meg Bakich made a formal complaint about the book.

However, during the Tuesday night meeting, another parent argued that students needed to read that book.  "I believe it would be tragic to exclude a title like "The Working Poor" from our children's curriculum.  Our children truly need to understand the world's problems in order to make positive change," said parent Amy Peck.  "In order to achieve diversity of thought, you need to have empathy. Often, books are a gateway to those outside world experiences, teaching our children to empathize,"  she continued.

Invitations have gone out to potential committee members, who will make a recommendation.  Until then, the book will continue to be used in the classroom.  A different committee recently upheld the use of "The Art of Racing in the Rain," after a parent challenged the use of that book.

Superintendent Dr. Dawson Orr explained, "The committee shall weigh the strengths and weaknesses of the material as a whole, rather than on passages or sections taken out of context."