Book bans are increasingly common in many states across the country. Texas and Florida are among the leaders in this movement. Idaho, Iowa, and Tennessee have all seen bills that seek to criminalize educators and librarians for sharing books some consider offensive (Harris, 2022; Hytrek, 2022; Jones, 2022).

Arkansas joined this group in March of 2023 with ACT 372. It allows anyone (regardless of whether they have children in school) to “challenge the appropriateness” of any book. However, like many such laws, it does not specify the criteria for determining if a book is appropriate or obscene. And since sections 1 and 5 of the Act expose school employees to criminal penalties (including up to a year in jail), it has created a lot of confusion and anxiety among the state’s educators.

This ASCD article addresses this emerging challenge and offers five guidelines for dealing with book bans. As the authors point out, “banning certain books will not keep students from understanding the relevance of race, gender, and sexuality in society,” and in an increasing heterogeneous society, educational leaders must “support the critical engagement of knowledge through all forms of identities, lived experiences, expressions, and contributions.”

References:

Harris, G. (2022, March 2). Tennessee Republicans back bill to criminally charge educators, ban books with alleged ‘obscene materials.’ Tennessee Politics.

Hytrek, N. (2022, February 4). GOP legislators target librarians for prosecution, fines under new bill. Iowa Starting Line.

Jones, B. (2022, March 7). House backs criminal charges for educators, librarians who disseminate ‘harmful materials’ to children. Idaho Ed News.