Students, parents and teachers battle over club rule


ATLANTA - Students, parents and teachers clashed Wednesday at a public hearing on a State Board of Education rule that would require parental permission for children to take part in extracurricular organizations.

Supporters said the rule would increase involvement by giving parents a greater voice in their children's education.

"I would like to think that the teachers who teach my children would want me involved," said Rep. Bobby Reese, a Sugar Hill Republican who sponsored one of this year's legislative proposals that sparked the board rule.

But opponents of the rule said it was targeted at gay-straight alliances, support groups formed for students who are gay, lesbian, transgender or questioning their sexuality. They said the proposal infringed on high schoolers' rights to associate with whatever groups they choose.