Now, the book banners are coming for Optimus Prime. There are many reasons why the recent surge of books banned from school libraries should concern all of us. A major one is this censorship movement’s predictable descent into something that will likely leave you scratching your head, wondering just why they banned that one. It highlights how this movement isn’t concerned with quality education, and it’s really all about control and playing politics with our neighborhood schools. […]
Education
With a public school enrollment of more than 5 million, Texas has an increasingly diverse public education system. Unfortunately, that public education system is also the target of politicians seeking to privatize our neighborhood public schools and push a culture-war agenda in the classroom.
To that end, the Texas Freedom Network – while continuing to fight private school voucher legislation at the Capitol – has conducted groundbreaking research into what is being taught in classrooms on subjects like sex education and religion.
Resources
Broken Promises: Charter Schools in Texas (2000 report)
Broken Promises II (2001 report)
The State Board of Education: Dragging Texas Schools into the Culture Wars (2008 report)
Just Say Don’t Know: Sex Education in Texas Public Schools (2009 report)
Sex Education in Public Schools: Progress in the Lone Star State (2011 report)
Reading Writing & Religion: Teaching the Bible in Texas Public Schools (2006 report)
Reading, Writing & Religion II (2013 report)
Can This Class Be Saved? The ‘Hobby Lobby’ Public School Bible Curriculum (2014 report)
What is the Texas State Board of Education & How Can You Get Involved?
Soon, revisions for the state’s social studies standards will begin at the State Board of Education, and we’re keeping a watchful eye. Especially after the political circus that dominated the last major revision in 2010. This year is already off to a worrisome start–with a conspiracy theorist appointed to the advisory board and new attacks on teachers, books, and accurate, honest education mounting each day. […]
Why Does Abbott Need a Task Force to Understand the Teacher Shortage in Public Schools? The Reasons for Exodus Are Clear.
Gov. Greg Abbott claims to be confused about why there is a teacher shortage in our public schools. We’re not sure why he has questions, though, considering so many of the present issues teachers point to stem from his constant dismissal and undermining of public education. Nevertheless, on March 7, Abbott asked the Texas Education Agency to create a task force to address ongoing teacher shortages in public schools. Check out today’s blog to see why we think Abbott’s creation of this task force is disingenuous and politically motivated. […]
It’s National Read Across America Day. We’re Having Trouble Celebrating.
Today is National Read Across America Day, but it’s difficult to celebrate the joy of reading as we’re actively seeing books pulled from public schools and libraries in Texas and across the country. We’ve constructed a timeline of key events that have sought to diminish free education and diversity in thought. Together, we can stop this timeline before it grows. #TeachtheTruth […]
Texas Civil Rights Groups and Education Equity Organizations Demand Granbury ISD Must Return Removed Books and Reaffirm Inclusion
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFeb. 28, 2022 HOUSTON — Texas civil rights groups and education equity organizations are demanding that Granbury Independent School District (ISD) return 125 books removed from shelves and any additional books that were also disappeared. The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas (ACLU of Texas), American Civil Liberties Union, Big Thought, Children’s Defense […]
