New Florida law expected to increase conflict over textbooks
FORT LAUDERDALE — A parent in Florida is citing profanity and violence in trying to get the local school to ban Ray Bradbury’s "Fahrenheit 451" — itself a cautionary tale on the banning of books. Another wants to remove Walter Dean Myers’ "Bad Boy" for using the word "penis" and a homophobic slur.
Elsewhere in Florida, some say global warming and evolution are a hoax and should not be taught in textbooks unopposed. Others say their local school’s textbooks shortchange Islam’s role in the world, while their opponents argue it’s the danger posed by Muslim terrorists that’s underexposed.
Under a bill passed by the Florida Legislature this year, any district resident — regardless of whether they have a child in school — can now challenge material as pornographic, biased, inaccurate or a violation of state law and get a hearing before an outside mediator.
The mediator advises the local school board, whose decision is final. Previously, challenges could only be made by parents to the school or district. There was also no mediator and fewer mandates. Districts must now also post online a list of all new books and material by grade level to make monitoring easier.
Read more: http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/New-Florida-law-expected-to-increase-conflict-over-textbooks_163016239
