Editorial: Book bans can threaten local control
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It should go without saying that banning books is no way to learn — or teach.
And yet, for the past few years, banning books has hit its heyday. The topic keeps coming up via protests that seem to be more political than educational.
Sometimes it is a particular text used in a class — like Marjane Satrapi’s “Persepolis,” a graphic novel about the Iranian revolution that was a hot topic in the Franklin Regional School District when it was included in an honors English class. Sometimes it is more about access to a variety of books that parents or community members find controversial. That has happened at a number of schools across Pennsylvania, including Hempfield Area School District.
While it is admirable for residents to take an active and engaged role in their schools, it is also important to recognize what these protests can end up meaning: a loss of control.
Families that approve of a diverse educational spectrum, and libraries that reflect that, can have their wishes swept away by new school district policies that would take away from everyone because of the opposition of a few. Teachers who have found innovative ways to engage students in their classwork can be stymied by people opposed to books they haven’t even read. Libraries can become wardens instead of guardians and guides.
It also invites backlash.
In Harrisburg, there have been dueling proposals this year. In March, state Sen. Ryan Aument, R-Lancaster, proposed a measure to flag books with certain content and warn parents. Now state Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Philadelphia, has filed a bill that would take the issue out of local hands, establishing a statewide process for challenges.
This should be unnecessary because book bans should be rare. However, in a 12-month period, Pennsylvania school districts have seen them brought up 457 times. More alarming: All of those instances have been centered around just 11 districts.
The number of books being challenged is too high. The number of districts that are prompting a state response is too low to impact everyone — just 2.2% of Pennsylvania’s 500 school districts.
We need to have confidence in our school boards to handle these issues. That’s why they were elected.
Take Hempfield’s detailed, thoughtful and inclusive proposal for addressing book bans. The recommendation is for a multi-step process requiring that all decision-makers read the book in question. There is an appeal available, and after a book is passed as acceptable, it would not be available to challenge for a minimum period of time.
That policy has taken time to consider and create. It will be discussed at Monday’s school board meeting.
But that is the kind of decision that either legislator’s proposal would remove from a school board.
Book bans help no one teach or learn, not even school boards — or lawmakers.