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Currently,
there is no statewide mandated standard for dealing with book
challenges to public schools, and individual school districts manage
these challenges in different ways. Some have adopted a written
standard policy, which requires a formal review process by an
established committee, while others leave the decision to teachers,
principals and/or librarians. As an example, one district summarized
its Board of Trustee approved policy for addressing complaints as
follows:
- "Talk to teacher and see if matter can be settled.
- Talk to Principal if matter is not satisfied with the teacher.
- Talk to Superintendent if matter is not satisfied with the principal.
- Ask to be on agenda for Board of Trustees if matter is not satisfied with the Superintendent".
Based on this information, a procedure similar to this would appear to be vague and subject to abuse at many levels.
The
Texas Library Association offers a model policy for dealing with book
challenges, which can be found in the TLA Intellectual Freedom Manual.
In addition, library book selection criteria guidance can be found in
the manual in several sections.
The manual can also be accessed at http://www.txla.org/pubs/ifhbk.html. The adoption of a standard policy to be used by all public schools based on the TLA procedures is strongly recommended.
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