Florida K-12 schools, colleges, universities, censorship battlegrounds

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FLORIDA OFFICIALS WRONG TO REJECT AP AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES COURSE ([link removed])

The National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) condemns the Florida Department of Education’s (DOE) Office of Articulation for its rejection of Advanced Placement course on African American studies for high school students. In a letter to the College Board, the DOE expressed concern that “the content of this course is inexplicably contrary to Florida law and significantly lacks educational value.”

Recently the DOE released a list of reasons for rejecting the Advanced Placement course ([link removed]) . This document makes it clear that what the state officials really object to is not a lack of educational value but some of the ideas discussed in the course. For example, they reject the discussion of Black Lives Matter because its members advocate for eliminating prisons and jails and ending pretrial detention. Similarly, they object to the topic of “Black Study and Black Struggle in the 21st Century” because it includes a reading that argues “activism, rather than the university system, is the catalyst for social transformation.” Read National Coalition Against Censorship's (NCAC) full response to DOE activities atncac.org ([link removed]) .
DEAR CENSORS..... (http://)
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WE WON'T STOP FIGHTING OR WRITING!

In a joint letter ([link removed]) to the Florida College System Council of Presidents, NCAC and the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) challenged a pledge made by the Florida College System Council of Presidents' to enforce the "Stop WOKE Act" and remove all" woke" positions and ideologies from university and college curriculum. The letter called on institutional leaders, administrators, and staff who are asked to limit access to information to refuse, as no statute, regulation, or statement can replace the obligations of free speech promised by the First Amendment.

In letters to St. Lucie Public Schools ([link removed]) in Port St. Lucie, Florida, and Hernando School District ([link removed]) in Brooksville, Florida, the NCAC expressed its concerns about the removal of books pulled from library shelves. In both cases, school administrators violated district review policies by sidestepping review committees and banning books based on their personal beliefs that the materials were "harmful to minors" or "obscene." The NCAC has requested that the school districts honor their review policies and return books until professional assessments of educational value are completed.

NCAC letters are available for review at ncac.org/news.
RESOURCES (http://)
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NCAC RELEASES NEW RESOURCE FOR AUTHORS OF BANNED OR CHALLENGED BOOKS

Because book challenges can happen anytime and seemingly for any reason, NCAC’s Arts & Culture Advocacy Program (ACAP) solicited advice from authors whose books have been attacked, including Jonathan Evison (Lawn Boy), Frederick Joseph (The Black Friend), Jo Knowles (Pearl), Susan Kuklin (Beyond Magenta), Meg Medina (Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass), and Lesléa Newman (Heather Has Two Mommies). They provide a wealth of best practices to address book challenges and advocate for the return of banned titles.

Collected best practices are now available in a new NCAC resource that provides practical advice for authors whose books are being challenged and banned in K – 12 schools and libraries. Resources for Authors of Banned and Challenged Books is now available at NCAC.org/resources. ([link removed])
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UPCOMING EVENTS ([link removed])
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** **REGISTRATION NOW OPEN **
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Student journalists play an essential role in their schools by covering complex and, at times, controversial issues that aim to broaden interest in contemporary issues among their peers and community members. NCAC's Student Advocates for Speech (SAS) project and the Student Press Law Center (SPLC) will host Fighting for Press Freedom: How to be an Advocate for Student Journalism, a free online discussion from 8 p.m. – 9:15 p.m. ET on February 21, 2023. This national event comes when student-run newspapers face ongoing editorial censorship by school administrators. Students, parents, and educators are welcome to register ([link removed]) .
CENSORSHIP IN THE NEWS

Fuel Up for the Fight: Resources to Push Back on Censorship Efforts
School Library Journal, Jan. 24, 2023
As campaigns step up efforts to pull books from school and public library shelves, it's critical to have tools to defend titles. READ MORE ([link removed])

Will Meta Finally Lift Its Female Nipple Ban?
Hyperallergic, Jan. 19, 2023
An oversight board makes recommendations for changes to the company’s restrictive female nudity policies. Will Instagram comply? READ MORE ([link removed])

Texas Brewery Did Not Violate Kyle Rittenhouse's First Amendment Rights, Censorship Activist Says
Dallas Observer, Jan. 18, 2023
Southern Star Brewery in Conroe, Texas, changed its mind about letting an event with Kyle Rittenhouse take place on its property. Was the event cancellation a violation of Rittenhouse's First Amendment rights? READ MORE ([link removed])


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