Teacher Exonerated for Allowing Discussion of "Ellen" TV Show


For Immediate Release: December 16, 1997

SAN FRANCISCO -- The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing has closed the file on the complaint filed against Alameda teacher Victoria Forrester, because she allowed a short student-initiated discussion about the TV show "Ellen" in her classroom.

By taking no action, the Commission upheld the Alameda District School Board's October decision that Forrester did not act unprofessionally.

Forrester, who was represented by the ACLU of Northern California and the California Teachers Association, said she was very pleased with the decision.

"Not only is it a personal victory, but a victory for academic freedom and for the citizens of Alameda County who are looking for a hate-free educational environment," Forrester said. "I'm also pleased that two separate educational institutions, the Alameda District School Board and the CTC came to the same conclusion."

On May 1, 1997, the day after the much-publicized airing of the national television show "Ellen" in which the main character comes out as a lesbian, people in homes and offices throughout the country discussed the historic episode. The students in Forrester's fifth grade class in Alameda's Amelia Earhart Elementary School were no exception.

The discussion took place in a forum which Forrester created for students to exchange ideas and talk about events in their lives, before launching into the school day.

On that particular morning, a student volunteered that she had watched "Ellen" and thought that the main character was brave. Another student said that she had seen the show as well and was proud that Ellen could "be who she is." Forrester wrote the words "brave" and "proud" on the board, and the class discussed the show for a few minutes, freely expressing diverse viewpoints.

Because of the "Ellen" discussion, which lasted less than 10 minutes, a parent filed a complaint with the school district, claiming that Forrester should be fired for allowing the discussion to take place in front of his daughter.

The superintendent investigated the matter and concluded that the teacher had not behaved inappropriately. The parent appealed the superintendent's decision to the Alameda District School Board. On October 28, during a packed meeting, the School Board found Ms. Forrester innocent of any wrong doing.

The parent also filed a complaint with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing asking the state licensing board to revoke Ms. Forrester's teaching license.

ACLU staff attorney Kelli Evans, who is representing the teacher, said, "This complaint challenged the spirit of free inquiry that is the core of a democratic education."

"While parents have many rights, they do not have the right to prevent their children from exposure to any and all ideas or topics in public school that clash with their personal world view," Evans said. "They certainly do not have the right to punish a dedicated teacher who allows students to explore the ideas and events of their world."

In addition to Evans, Forrester is represented by ACLU staff attorney Margaret Crosby, and attorney Ballinger Kemp of the California Teacher's Association.

"Forrester behaved as a concerned and sensitive teacher," Crosby said. "She created an environment where students felt comfortable satisfying their curiosity and exploring new ideas while reminding the class that there are differing perspectives on every question, and that they should use their developing critical faculties to reach their own conclusions."

During the course of the evaluation before the School Board and the state commission, numerous parents came forward to support Forrester, calling her a dedicated teacher who in addition to her classroom work, has contributed to curriculum development, served as a mentor teacher, coached basketball, directed student plays, and facilitated the Student Council Program for seven years.