Parents upset
after students read column supporting marriage equality

The parents of students in a fifth-grade class at Derby Ridge Elementary School in Columbia, Mo., were outraged after their children were assigned to read a newspaper column supporting same-sex marriage. The article, written by Richard Cohen and titled "Gay Marriage Ban No Benefit to Society," was supposed to be a learning exercise to help the students express their opinions, reports News-Leader.com. According to Jack Jensen, assistant superintendent of elementary education for Columbia Public Schools, students had discussed the topic of same-sex marriage in class and their teacher--who has not been identified--asked them to read the article and respond to it with their own editorial.

"The purpose was to become familiar with editorial writing and respond," Jensen told News-Leader.com. "But it was not an appropriate topic to use at this age level." Jensen further stated that school administrators have already spoken to the teacher and that no further disciplinary action will be taken. (The Advocate)