From The U.S. Department of Education:
"The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
today announced that it has dismissed 11 complaints related to so-called
“book bans.” The complaints alleged that local school districts’
removal of age-inappropriate, sexually explicit, or obscene materials
from their school libraries created a hostile environment for students –
a meritless claim premised upon a dubious legal theory. Effective Jan.
24, 2025, OCR has rescinded all department guidance issued under the
theory that a school district’s removal of age-inappropriate books from
its libraries may violate civil rights laws. OCR is also dismissing six
additional pending allegations of book banning and will no longer employ
a “book ban coordinator” to investigate local school districts and
parents working to protect students from obscene content.
“By
dismissing these complaints and eliminating the position and authorities
of a so-called ‘book ban coordinator,’ the department is beginning the
process of restoring the fundamental rights of parents to direct their
children’s education,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor.
“The department adheres to the deeply rooted American principle that
local control over public education best allows parents and teachers
alike to assess the educational needs of their children and communities.
Parents and school boards have broad discretion to fulfill that
important responsibility. These decisions will no longer be
second-guessed by the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of
Education.”
Read it all HERE.
Dan Kleinman of Safe Libraries:
