CNN: Louisiana Charter School Changing Pregnancy Test Requirement

August 9, 2012
CNN Wire Staff
DPoH commentary in bold.


A Louisiana charter school is changing a policy that required pregnant students to be removed from class and home-schooled, pending board approval, a school official said Thursday. On the off-chance that you were unaware of the policy, go ahead and read what the ACLU has to say about it here. If that's not depressing enough for you, head on over to Delhi Charter School's online copy of the School Policy Manual. That particular policy was changed--you can find it on page 130--but take a look at their Public Displays of Affection policy on page 125. 

Also, there's a whole page worth of rules and regulations for catheterizing students. Yes, really.

"The school has not eliminated its pregnancy policy at this time," said Chris Broussard, a spokesman for the Delhi Charter School.

Note: The policy did change the day after the article came out.

The details of the revision -- which would take effect after the school board weighs in and approves -- are not yet clear.

Broussard said the law firm Davenport, Files and Kelly helped revise the policy to make it compliant with federal law, after it came under intense criticism from rights groups. Gosh, I wonder why.

Under the school's current policy, posted on its website, "The school reserves the right to require any female student to take a pregnancy test to confirm whether or not the suspected student is in fact pregnant." NOPE YOU GUYS SEEMS PERFECTLY REASONABLE TO ME

In cases where a test determines that one of the school's approximately 700 students is pregnant, "the student will not be permitted to attend classes on the campus of Delhi Charter School."

Any student suspected of being pregnant who refuses to submit to a pregnancy test "shall be treated as a pregnant student Gee, there's no possible way that could be construed as invasive or anything.  and will be offered home study opportunities. If home study opportunities are not acceptable, the student will be counseled to seek other educational opportunities like going to visit relatives. Distant relatives," it said.

In a letter sent to school officials, American Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Marjorie R. Esman said the policy "is based on the archaic and pernicious stereotype that a girl's pregnancy sets a 'bad example' for her peers -- i.e., that in having engaged in sexual activity, she has transgressed acceptable norms of feminine behavior."

Not only that, but the old policy and the current PDA policy are sending directly opposing messages. Your body is sinful and should be hidden away! Don't let anybody see it under any circumstances! Unless that somebody is a school official who thinks you're a slut! Then you need to let them know your entire sexual history, plus submit to a mandatory pregnancy test, just so their curiosity can be satisfied!

Blegh. Skeevy.

News that the policy would be reviewed was welcomed by Louise Melling, director of the ACLU Center for Liberty, who described the policy as "reminiscent of the '50s."

August 15 is the first day of class.