School Censorship in the 21st Century: A Guide for Teachers and School Library Media Specialists

As we enter the 21st century, the access to information & freedom of speech provided by the Internet & other digital technologies has revolutionized the nature of censorship challenges & opened an entirely new realm of legal & social ramifications for censorship in U.S. schools. In the midst of this digital revolution, traditional forms of censorship continue to take their toll on students' learning opportunities & teachers' instructional choices. School Censorship in the 21st Century: A Guide for Teachers and School Library Media Specialists offers a contemporary view of challenges to students' right to read & teachers' right to choose books & other instructional materials. Authored by experienced censorship opponents John S. Simmons & Eliza T. Dresang, this important volume offers insights into the nature of current censorship challenges, the historical & cultural context in which they occur in the United States & the resources that exist for meeting these increasingly complex challenges. Teachers & media specialists need to work with both students & school administrators to safeguard their schools against censorship attacks. By meeting potential challenges with a strong, united, and proactive approach, all members of a school community can help ensure an accessible & safe teaching & learning environment. "Guidelines for Teachers & Librarians" are included in the book at the end of most chapters, along with lists of recommended Web sites. Don't get caught off guard by censorship! Use School Censorship in the 21st Century to prepare your school for challenges to the freedom to teach & learn. John S. Simmons is a professor of English Education & Reading at Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA. Eliza T. Dresang is an associate professor in the School of Information Studies, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA.Eliza T. Dresang is the author of 'School Censorship in the 21st Century: A Guide for Teachers and School Library Media Specialists', published 2001 under ISBN 9780872072886 and ISBN 0872072886.