Hardin Independent School District

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Hardin Independent School District is a public school district based in Hardin, Texas (USA).

1 Schools
2 Criticism
3 External link

[edit] Schools

[edit] High Schools

Hardin High (Grades 9-12)

[edit] Intermediate Schools

Hardin Junior High (Grades 7-8)
Hardin Intermediate (Grades 5-6)

[edit] Elementary Schools

Hardin Elementary (Grades PK-4)

[edit] Criticism

Authoritorian Handbook Rules

Hardin School district is often criticisized for having a school handbook of rules that often gives no reason for specific regulations other than "to show respect for authority"

Rebuttal: Apparently, some students have never been taught any respect for authority at home, so the school is having to take care of that for the parents who refuse to parent (v., meaning "to be or act as a parent of").

Furthermore, many of the rules set in place by the district are considered archaic (by whom?) and have no real reason, when asked the district has said that it inforces (sp?) these rules because "they are in the handbook"

Rebuttal: The school employees are required to enforce (notice the spelling) the rules as laid out in the handbook.

These and other reasons (especially a lack of respect for adults and authority in general, typical in teenagers today) have induced a state of disrespect in the students of the school for the school, School Pride is virtually non-existent and test scores are at an all time low.

Rebuttal: In fact, TAKS scores are rising, especially Math scores. Hardin has received the Gold Medal for Improvement two years in a row.

Rules that are often criticisized include: No long hair on Males (the handbook states boys instead of males), No Facial hair, No clothes with any text or images except for brand names (which has previously angered many students who can't afford brand name clothes), No clothing that proclaims any religion, And 5 or more tardies (in a six week periond) can result in suspension.

Rebuttal: In regards to dress codes, many schools, universities and workplaces have dress codes. Both the students and employees are expected to abide by them. These have and do include items such as the length of hair, allowance of facial hair, jewlery restrictions, etc. These codes are in place for a variety of reasons, including safety. In regards to the banning of text and graphics, this was in response to a growing trend for students to wear t-shirts with thinly veiled sexual innuendo, examples of which would be tasteless to give here. In addition, such sexual imagery or suggestive wording can be the basis for a costly sexual harassment suit.

Efforts To Change School Policy

Petitions have been made and students have complained but the district refuses to negotiate with students stating "This is a school not a democracy".

Rebuttal: In fact, the democratic process for effecting change in a Texas school district is to vote for new school board officials. These are the people who can change the policies.

Accusations of bias

The district has been often accused of giving students from higher income families unfair advantages.

Rebuttal: The income level of students is unknown to many of the faculty. However, a certain degree of favoritism is apparent, especially when the student in question is an athlete.