![]() ![]() Education Department said it had investigated a Georgia school district over concerns that its process for removing books may have created a "hostile environment" for students.īook bans are on the rise: What are the most banned books and why?ĬONTRIBUTING: Melissa Pérez-Carrillo, Lianna Norman, The Palm Beach Post.Non-Discrimination Statement (Title IX Compliance)Ĭalifornia Pacific Charter Schools (CPCS) is committed to promoting a discrimination-free and harassment-free educational and work environment. The Miami-Dade school's move is the latest in a slew of efforts to remove or restrict access to literature that addresses racial and social justice and material involving sexual content from classrooms nationwide. In March, the Florida teachers union and other groups sued the state's education department, saying the way it interpreted a new law about school library books goes further than the law intended, leading to censorship and book bans. Their federal lawsuit alleges the book bans in Escambia County public schools are unconstitutional. Just last week, PEN America and publisher Penguin Random House announced they are trying to block book bans in a Florida Panhandle county. It's resulted in countless complaints about materials in classrooms and school libraries and a growing number of challenges about items that have been removed or restricted. "This legislation aims to preserve the rights of parents to make decisions about what materials their children are exposed to in school," Florida Gov. The new law requires districts to catalog every book on their shelves and create a formal review process for complaints. Read the full text: 'The Hill We Climb' Amanda Gorman performs powerful poem at inauguration: Details about books required under law DeSantis signed last yearĪ Florida law passed last year requires more transparency about what materials schools use to teach students. In her Instagram post, Gorman called on her followers to donate to PEN America "as they protect literature." "Robbing children of the chance to find their voices in literature is a violation of their right to free thought and free speech." I've received countless letters and videos from children inspired by The Hill We Climb to write their own poems," she wrote. "I wrote The Hill We Climb so that all young people could see themselves in a historical moment. Gorman says her poem is important reading for children. The book remains available in the media center." ![]() "It was determined at the school that 'The Hill We Climb' is better suited for middle school students and, it was shelved in the middle school section of the media center. "No literature (books or poem) has been banned or removed," the district said in a statement. Miami-Dade school officials defended their actions and said they haven't banned the book. The other three titles that were shifted to the middle school age group are “The ABCs of Black History,” which was written for an audience of 5 years old and up, “Cuban Kids,” and “Love to Langston.” The parent said that in all, five titles in the school’s library weren’t age appropriate.Ī school materials review committee made up of a few Bob Graham teachers and several administrators deemed four items as more appropriate for middle school students than for elementary-age students. ![]() The complaint that led to Bob Graham Education Center restricting elementary-age students' access to “The Hill we Climb” came from a mom of two students at the school. 'Don't say gay' law expands: Florida bans teaching of gender identity, sexuality through 12th grade School: Book was moved, not banned Her tweet included a copy of a complaint form that states her book "is not educational" and contains "hate messages." The form, also tweeted by The Florida Freedom to Read Project, says the complainant believes the purpose of the book is to "cause confusion and Indoctrinate students." ![]() Unnecessary #bookbans like these are on the rise, and we must fight back." fail to specify what parts of my poetry they object to, refuse to read any reviews, and offer no alternatives. A post shared by Amanda Gorman also took to Twitter, saying, "So they ban my book from young readers. ![]()
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