Knox County Schools Faces Book Removals Due to New Law

Books being removed from a school library shelf

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Knox County Schools Faces Book Removals Due to New Law

Knox County Schools held its first regular meeting on Thursday following the announcement of a list of books slated for removal from school libraries. The action is part of the district’s compliance with Tennessee’s updated Age-Appropriate Materials Act, which aims to regulate the types of materials accessible to students.

The What and Why of the Update

The school board explained that the updated law, which was revised in July, specifically targets materials containing nudity, sexual excitement, sexual conduct, or excess violence. Previous legislation passed in 2022 did not define what is considered suitable for various ages, prompting the recent changes. Critics argue that the new law disproportionately affects books addressing LGBTQ+ identities and racism, claiming it is a means to limit discussions on critical social issues within educational settings.

Additionally, the law grants parents greater authority to decide what is inappropriate for their children, further complicating the responsibilities of school librarians and educators. During the meeting, educators expressed concerns that focusing on isolated excerpts from books undermines their overall contribution to student learning.

The Impact on Education

During the Thursday meeting, Keith Wilson, an assistant superintendent for Knox County Schools, acknowledged that adjusting to the new regulations has increased workload for librarians and teachers. “We try to be cognizant in that as well. Getting into compliance with this law is really a process,” he said.

Teachers also voiced their thoughts on the implications of the book removals. Stacy Reese, a Knox County teacher, argued that removing these books strips students of valuable learning experiences. “Are we harassing our own students by doing that?” she questioned, referring to the decision to remove one of her students’ favorite books, The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives.

This particular book tells the true story of an agender teenager who was set on fire while on a bus in Oakland in 2013 and examines themes of hate crimes and social justice.

Challenges in Implementing the Law

The school district has reported the need to pull 48 books from high school shelves as a result of this review. However, school officials maintain that the state did not provide a clear list of books to be removed when the law changed. As Wilson elaborated, “What didn’t come with that was a list of books to go and pull, and that’s not guidance that we’re receiving.”

Educators have expressed frustration, highlighting the confusion surrounding the law and stating that students are seeking clarification on the changes. “Students have come to me asking, ‘What’s going on, why are they doing this?’ And I don’t have an answer for that,” said Reese, conveying the discontent felt among students.

The Role of Advocacy Groups

Some of the banned titles come from a list created by a far-right advocacy group, Moms for Liberty, known for supporting book bans nationwide. The group’s efforts have drawn scrutiny from organizations that promote inclusive education, including the Southern Poverty Law Center, which describes them as opposing equitable curricula focused on diverse perspectives.

As the debate continues, the future of educational materials in Knox County hangs in the balance, challenging educators to navigate the complex landscape of legislation while striving to provide students with comprehensive learning resources.