Under New Law, Anyone Can Challenge Textbooks

Have a problem with a book and you'll get a hearing
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Nov 26, 2017 9:30 AM CST
Under New Law, Anyone Can Challenge Textbooks
Broward School Board Superintendent Robert Runcie inside a bus in Pembroke Pines, Fla. Runcie, who is also the president of the state superintendents association, said the changes are "cumbersome." Districts have always encouraged parents and residents to voice concerns about materials and curricula,...   (Joe Cavatetta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)

The Florida Legislature recently changed state law to allow any resident to challenge their school district's textbooks and curricula and get a hearing before an outside mediator, the AP reports. To gauge the effect, the Associated Press filed public records requests with Florida's 67 countywide school districts, seeking all 2017 challenges. Seven districts received at least one. Some challengers think public schools use biased history textbooks, while others believe they push literature that's too sexually explicit.

Some assert global warming and evolution are a hoax and should not be taught. Some say Islam's role in the world gets shortchanged while others argue it's the danger posed by Muslim terrorists that's underexposed. One parent wants to ban a popular novel about book banning.

(More Florida stories.)

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