The Importance of Inclusive Classrooms Amidst Book Bans and Censorship
Classroom censorship and book bans have been on the rise in recent years. Preliminary findings from PEN America found more than 10,000 instances of book bans in the 2023-24 school year – more than double the prior school year.
Many of the banned books discuss race and racism or feature LGBTQ+ characters. In addition to book bans, lawmakers have put limitations on coursework covering topics that could be considered divisive, such as racism, sexism, and discrimination in the classroom and/or the workplace.
In a briefing on Capitol Hill on September 23rd, The Alliance for Student Liberty, a First Focus on Children initiative, brought together leading education researchers to highlight the importance of inclusive classrooms. In a time of extreme censorship that isolates student groups and minimizes their experiences, it’s important that educators make the effort to ensure all students feel a sense of belonging.
Dr. Sophia Rodriguez from New York University highlighted the importance of addressing race-based discrimination and encouraging school districts to partner with local organizations. She has found that Hispanic immigrant youth have experienced racial antagonism and a lack of support from school-based personnel in schools.
Dr. Emily Penner from the University of California at Irvine discussed the importance of coursework that reflects the accurate experience of various ethnic and racial groups. She reviewed the impressive results of her research on the impact of ethnic studies coursework on student outcomes. Students who took ethnic studies courses were 16 percentage points more likely to graduate from high school than students with similar GPAs who did not take these courses.
Both researchers highlighted the importance of creating an inclusive school environment where all students can thrive. Schools must work to ensure that all identities are celebrated, they said, not ignored, censored, or discriminated against.
Freedom to Read Advocates Fight Back (and win!)
Florida: Major book publishers, including Penguin Random House, are fighting censorship by filing a lawsuit against Florida public officials over House Bill 1069, which restricts school library materials. This law has led to the removal of many books from school libraries, including literary classics such as I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, and The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank. The lawsuit argues that disliking an author’s idea is not a valid reason to suppress it or mislabel it as obscene, emphasizing the importance of preserving diverse perspectives on race, gender, and sexuality in education. Access to this literature enriches a student’s education and resonates with their experiences.
Iowa: Major book publishers, including Penguin Random House, have filed a joint lawsuit challenging the book ban contained in Iowa’s SF 496. SF 496 restricts access to books in school libraries and classrooms. While the U.S Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit vacated an injunction blocking parts of Iowa’s book banning law, it rejected the defendants claim that library books are “government speech,” a core piece of the argument used in favor of book banning.
Resources & Events from Our Partners
The American Library Association (ALA) has been a leading advocate for intellectual freedom and the right to read, guiding efforts to resist censorship nationwide. As the founders of the United Against Banned Books Campaign, the ALA is involved in organizing the upcoming Freedom to Read Community Day of Action on October 19. Thirty-five states and the District of Columbia will participate with over 100 community events including rallies, read-ins, book club meetings, and documentary screenings, all aimed at bringing communities together to support the freedom to read. Find an event near you here.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is supporting efforts to combat censorship, offering a Right to Learn Toolkit to support students, community members, and educators. This toolkit offers a deeper understanding of how censorship laws impact education and practical strategies for advocacy efforts.