The Ripple Effect of Censorship: Silencing in the Classroom

Abstract

Although much has been written about censorship in the schools, very little of the professional literature examines teachers' self-censorship. Rather, the research focuses primarily on censorship incidents and court cases (e.g., James Moffett's Storm in the Mountains [1988] and Joan DelFattore's What Johnny Shouldn't Read [1992]) or offers suggestions regarding selection of books, censorship prevention strategies, and the handling of complaints (e.g., Hunter and Madsen 1993; Weil 1988; West 1983). Reports on challenges to materials and programs appear often in the media and are summarized annually by People for the American Way, a national organization which supports First Amendment rights. By all accounts, school censorship challenges-defined as efforts to bar materials and methods to all children-are on the rise