As English educators and as mentors of student members of NEHS, many of us likely are recoiling at the increase in vehement opposition to the inclusion of texts that show readers accurate and honest reflections of themselves; that provide windows into new worlds, new experiences, new ideas; and, most importantly, that allow students to become critical readers and thinkers who value and respect themselves and others. Teachers, librarians, administrators, and school boards are confronted in many communities with actions, demands, and threats that are pushing at the very core of intellectual freedom. Here is a partial list of resources NEHS members should reference to find support:
NCTE
National Council of Teachers of English resources include rationales for teaching particular texts, information on how to establish district/school policies concerning book selection and intellectual freedom, and a hotline to report censorship challenges.
NCTE Intellectual Freedom Center
NCAC
National Coalition Against Censorship‘s mission is “every generation of Americans faces new and significant challenges to free expression. For almost 50 years, NCAC has acted as a first responder to protect this freedom, which is both a fundamental human right and a keystone of democracy in the ever-changing American nation.”
ALA
American Library Association, sponsor of Banned Books Week, which NEHS participates in each year, has many resources to support educators.
ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom Resources
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