Clearing up the Facts
We are the parents of the student who conducted the experiment that was removed from the school's science fair. We are not writing to expound on our position (at this point it seems fair to say that most individuals have already formed their own opinion), rather to respond to certain misrepresentations and accusations that have been made regarding the experiment and the circumstances surrounding its removal. These are:

1. Students were asked the question, "Which one of these dolls would you rather go on a date with?": This was a comment made by a girl in one of the 5th grade classes - AFTER the survey had been completed.
2. Children were told they must answer the question: Several boys in each class declined to answer.
3. Different questions were asked of the adults and children: Both groups were asked which doll was prettier.
4. The school "investigated alternatives" before removing the experiment: We were called 45 minutes after the project was set up the afternoon of Feb. 1st and told it was being taken down. When we arrived at the school 15 minutes later, the project was in the principal's office. The school proposed that it be included in the fair the next morning for judging and feedback (but not that evening), however when we pointed out that children would still see it (thereby only protecting adults), that offer was retracted. The next morning, the school suggested allowing just the judges to view it, but the BVSD central administration said that was not acceptable. (We are now exploring ways with the school in which the project might be used in the classroom, but this discussion has evolved during the ensuing weeks.)
5. The school would allow it to be displayed if the conclusion was changed: BVSD central administration said they would "consider" allowing it if the conclusion was changed to downplay the results. We did refuse this alternative as we consider this censorship.
6. We declined to meet with the teachers: We have met with a representative of the teachers on 3 separate occasions. (We offered to meet with all teachers, as well as any concerned parents, but were told that the teachers preferred to be represented by the one teacher and the principal and there has been no response to our offer to meet with parents.)
7. The school was not aware of the subject matter of the experiment prior to the display being set up: Three teachers were told in advance what the experiment was and how it was going to be conducted. Three weeks prior to the fair we described the project and requested that it be included in the judging.
8. The experiment was conducted by the child's parents: We did explain to her why she needed at least 15 people in each sample set and why she needed to ask the identical question of each person interviewed. We also held the dolls for her so she could use both hands for her clipboard and pen. During one classroom interview, one boy was asked to stop shouting, "If you answer the question it means you love Barbies."