banned books

Three parents are challenging a Florida law that increased scrutiny of school-library books and instructional materials. They want to be able to challenge book removals.

Florida lawmakers are making good on their promise to ease regulations on the state’s public schools while curbing school book challenges under bills making their way to the governor's desk.

More than 1,000 Florida residents were surveyed about their beliefs about public education, public school funding, and who should call the shots in the state’s public schools.

Critics of recent laws allowing school books and other classroom materials to be challenged and removed have categorized the effort as book banning. And many school districts have taken steps to keep themselves from running afoul of these new state laws. Gov. Ron DeSantis himself has spearheaded the efforts to keep inappropriate books away from kids, but now he’s endorsing a plan to curb what some see as excessive challenges.

The Florida Department of State issued a new rule that says it will "not allow grant project activities" associated with the American Library Association and its affiliates.

According to PEN America, during the 2022–23 school year, Florida's public schools banned more than 1,400 books across 33 school districts.

Florida students are heading back to school in the upcoming days and while they may be excited, their teachers, principals and other administrators…not as much. That’s because this year, much more than in years past, the people charged with taking care of those kids are under a microscope—and it’s taking a personal, and professional toll on public education.

The Leon County School Board is set to decide whether to keep the book “I am Billie Jean King,” on school library shelves. The book is the first in the district to face a parental challenge.

The books include the novels “Push” which inspired the Oscar-winning movie “Precious.” Also taken out of the libraries of SAIL and Lincoln High: “Me, Earl and the Dying Girl,” which was also made into a film. The novels "Dead End,” "Doomed” and “Lucky” are also out.

One rule requires online training for school librarians and other employees involved in selecting books for students. The other requires elementary schools to post online lists of reading materials.