Offended Gulf High IB student can choose alternate book

NEW PORT RICHEY — Marí Mercado gets to keep her values and her place in the International Baccalaureate program at Gulf High School after all.

After meeting with school officials Thursday, Marí and her father, Rafael Mercado, said she no longer would be required to read an assigned novel that they thought contained too much graphic sex. The family will get to pick an alternate book from an approved list.

"We reached an agreement," Mr. Mercado said. "It's basically what we asked, that she is going to be given an alternative book to read."

The 16-year-old junior will be able to use that book instead of Haruki Murakami's The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle for her required world literature essay. Earlier this week, Pasco school district officials said they would not be able to change the curriculum because it had been set with the International Baccalaureate Organization well in advance.

Marí faced the possibility of getting a zero for not writing the essay, a grade that could have jeopardized her chances to successfully complete an IB diploma.

On Thursday, assistant superintendent Ruth Reilly said the district had consulted with IBO officials, who said that in instances where parents cannot be convinced of the value of the material selected, the program will allow for an alternate text.

"It is not something that is very widespread because it is difficult to accommodate," Reilly said.

The Mercados will have to read all the book options to determine whether they want to apply for any other alternate texts. Their daughter also will have to do some independent study.

"This is very unique," Reilly said. "IBO said it is a very rare circumstance where they offer this alternative."

After initially failing to connect with the school over their concerns, the Mercados contacted the Christian Law Association for advice. The group told the family that they have the right under state law to request to opt out of objectionable sexual material.

Two Pasco County School Board members also voiced support for the parents in their effort to find a different, yet similarly rigorous, text for their daughter to read without penalty.

"I think it's a very good solution to the problem," School Board member Kathryn Starkey said Thursday. "We should not force kids who are uncomfortable reading graphic sexual passages at 16 to do that. There should be an alternative and I'm glad we found one."

They have yet to choose the new book. But Mr. Mercado said the school leaders assured him that the options will be "more appropriate for her, in our view."

"Since she's able to complete the assignment, the grade is not going to be affected," Mr. Mercado said.

Marí said she did not expect her effort to get a new assignment to gain the widespread attention it did after it appeared in the St. Petersburg Times this week. She said she was simply trying to stand up for herself.

She ignored the barrage of criticism against her in the form of Internet commentary, and said most of her classmates didn't talk to her about the articles once she arrived at school. With the issue settled, she simply wanted to move ahead with her completion of the IB program.

"I got my alternate book, so I'm happy," she said.

Mr. Mercado was happy, too, not to mention proud of his daughter for taking a strong stand for her values.

"My biggest concern at this point is, some other parents had problems with that book two years ago," he said. "If they had problems two years ago, why are we dealing with it now?"

Jeffrey S. Solochek can be reached at solochek@sptimes.com or (813) 909-4614. For more education news, visit the Gradebook at blogs.tampabay.com/schools.