In a decision which took many teachers and students by surprise, MCPS Superintendent Jerry Weast banned the use of R-rated films from high schools.

Prior to the Sept. 20 decision, teachers were able to use R-rated films once they were granted an appeal from another group of school faculty. The new ruling outlaws the showing of any part of a movie which is rated R, and it does not allow for an appeal of any kind.

The policy was handed down from Weast’s office in September without being discussed by the Board of Education. Weast, along with a county leadership team comprised of people from the county office, produced the new rule, which has since been implemented in schools.

Director of School Media Programs Gail Bailey was part of an executive team who made the new policy. She said, “There were two work groups, and we looked at their recommendations. The regulation was being reviewed as well as other things related to evaluating the curriculum.”

English teacher and department head Colleen McAdory, who has spoken out against the new rule said, “It’s ridiculous and it shows a lack of trust in the teachers’ judgment, particularly when it comes to eleventh and twelfth grade students. While it is true that a few teachers would show some films that are inappropriate, there shouldn’t be a blanket rule.”

The ruling has the most effect on senior English classes, where there is an extensive unit on film. Many of the movies, such as the widely-used “Othello,” are rated R and can no longer be shown.

“Teachers in the English department are very distressed,” said McAdory. “It is questioning our professionalism.”



Head media specialist Erica Lodish was informed of the policy, and was forced to pull all R-rated movies off the shelves of the school library.

“I think it’s an unfortunate thing,” said Lodish. “I think many of the movies were approved in coordination with the curriculum, and that they had played a valuable role.”

However, members of the executive team, like Gail Bailey, disagreed with the films being important classroom material. Bailey said, “Film is there to supplement, and we wanted to ensure the quality of the material in the classroom.”

Walter Johnson junior Joseph Perone feels that the policy compromises the students’ experience in the classroom. “The maturity level of high school students should warrant the use of R-rated movies,” he said. “The most they should [do to restrict] is to have some kind of permission slip.”

The ruling has also affected middle schools in the county as movies rated PG-13 are under the same ban in those schools. However, the county regulations of the movies could be changed in the future.

The issue will be reviewed within the Office of Curriculum and Instructional Programs. “We’ll be working to get more specific guidelines developed,” said Bailey.