L.A. Unified bans blindfolding of students during lessons
The Los Angeles Unified School District has banned the blindfolding of students as part of the curriculum in a fourth-grade reading program because of the sex-abuse scandal at Miramonte Elementary School.
The blindfolding of students attracted notice after the January arrest of Miramonte teacher Mark Berndt, who has pleaded not guilty to 23 counts of lewd conduct for allegedly photographing students blindfolded and being spoon-fed his semen.
In light of that case, blindfolding "may be perceived negatively," wrote Deputy Supt. of Instruction Jaime Aquino in a Feb. 23 memo to principals.
The fourth-grade reading program activity is part of the new California Treasures curriculum and is described in