In an effort to address parents advocating for book ratings, students in 9th Grade English at Grand Haven Area Public Schools were given the following assignment.
What are your thoughts on the topic of banning books? Should parents have a say in what’s in their child’s high school library? Should students have the say in deciding which books are in their high school library? Would it upset you if GHHS parents wanted to ban certain books from our library? In your opinion, is this a violation of your 1st Amendment right (Censors seek to limit freedom of thought and expression by restricting spoken words, printed matter, symbolic messages, freedom of association, books, art, music, movies, television programs, and internet sites).
Copy a few lines from the article to support your thoughts in your response. Write a response in this box (3-5 sent). Copy a few lines from the article to support your thoughts in your response.
Use quotes when you copy and a citation (author’s last name).
The problem with this assignment is that it leaves out crucial information such as the law. It persuades children to believe that providing only age-appropriate books in their school libraries violates their first amendment rights, and leads them to believe there is a group of parents in Grand Haven that want to ban books. Although Restoring Ottawa is not named in the assignment, Restoring Ottawa was named in several classroom discussions.
The assignment refers to the article “Thirteen Reasons Why” author says book censorship is dangerous, which is pictured below.
When reading this assignment several thoughts come to mind. Although it appears to be a lesson in critical thinking on the topic of book banning, it seems to have an anti-parent agenda. It was clearly written in a way that children MUST oppose censorship AND also oppose their parents. Second, the timing of the assignment does not appear random. It was given at nearly the same time as three representatives from the Momentum Center, a representative from LEDA and a group of students from the Calling All Colors organization spoke at a school board meeting (February 7, 2022) in opposition to a group of parents who wanted a rating system for books. Third, an extensive argument against censorship is presented in the article. The topic of age-appropriateness is mentioned, but there is no mention of the law which states parents are responsible for their children.
According to Law Library – American Law and Legal Information - Authority of Parents: “Parents are entitled to the custody of their children. They are free to make all decisions relating to the welfare of their child as they see fit, short of violating laws that protect children from abuse and neglect.”
In addition to this law, Michigan School Code 380.10 states
It is the natural, fundamental right of parents and legal guardians to determine and direct the care, teaching, and education of their children.
Both the law and the school code specifically state that parents are in charge.
Fourth, in addition to legal omissions, the questions are phrased in a way that is misleading to students. The questions lead the student to believe it is their First Amendment right to have access to all reading material in their school library. Students are also led to believe that regulating what is available in the school library is the same thing as censorship. Finally, students were given one article to use as a reference. They were not encouraged to research the issue and develop an argument based on their research. Restoring Ottawa was referenced during class time, but students did not read any Restoring Ottawa articles. The students were presented a one-sided article and asked to respond with an opinion guided by skewed questions.
According to school board policy po2240 Controversial Issues “The Board will permit the introduction and proper educational use of controversial issues provided that their use in the instructional program:
B. does not tend to indoctrinate or persuade students to a particular point of view;
C. encourages open-mindedness and is conducted in a spirit of scholarly inquiry.”
This assignment was a violation of the GHAPS Controversial Issue policy because it did work to indoctrinate and persuade students to a particular point of view and it did not encourage open-mindedness or scholarly inquiry. It taught students what to think.
Part 3 to follow…you won’t want to miss this.