NEHS is keenly aware of the increasing efforts to ban and censor literature in schools and libraries. To support Chapter Advisors in addressing this issue, NEHS is collaborating with the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Intellectual Freedom Center to provide a variety of valuable resources. These include a database of book rationales, the NEHS Freedom to Read statement, a platform to report censorship attempts, and additional intellectual freedom materials.
Book Rationales
The database includes over 1,400 book rationales. The database allows educators to search by title, author, and grade level. This helps in finding rationales for classroom use or addressing book challenges. Additionally, educators can discover new literature to incorporate into curricula or classroom libraries, further enriching students’ learning experiences.
Search the book rationale database.
Freedom to Read Statement
The NEHS Freedom to Read statement is a vital tool for advocating intellectual freedom and countering censorship efforts in educational settings. When facing book challenges or attempts to restrict access to literature, Chapter Advisors can use this statement to affirm their commitment to upholding the right to read diverse and varied content. It can be presented at school board meetings, shared in communications, and included in official policies and procedures.
Read the Freedom to Read statement.
Report Censorship
NCTE can provide advice, helpful documents, and support to Chapter Advisors encountering challenges to texts (including literary works, films, videos, and drama productions), student writing, or teaching methods in their classrooms and schools. If you are aware of a current censorship incident, please use this form to report it.
Further Resources
NCTE provides a range of further resources, available to NEHS Chapter Advisors, on topics such as how to select materials for English language arts classes, guidelines on how to deal with the censorship of materials, and statements on academic freedom and the importance of classroom libraries.
Browse further resources.
