Boys and girls

Schools across the country face various challenges, particularly low levels of academic achievement in many instances. One would hope school officials have their focus placed on addressing those shortcomings, but that’s not always the case. Consider Carlos Rey Elementary School in Albuquerque, N.M. According to a report by KOB-TV, an assistant principal instructed teachers at that school to stop calling students “boys and girls.” The directive, which came in a letter on the district’s “Gender Identity Procedural Directive,” also told teachers to eliminate gender in their classrooms. After this directive was publicized, school officials backtracked, insisting the order was given in error. Some education officials appear baffled by criticism of public schools. Yet parents have reason for concern when school officials waste time on issues like this. There are many problems in public schools, but having boys and girls referred to as “boys and girls” isn’t one of them.