Censored Education

In this week class we discuss censorship in school, which has been the only topic that I am undecided or neutral about. Even though I believe that school should have authority to be selective in choosing the subjects, issues and books that are adequate to teach students with, however there also a need of boundaries that determine what they have control over and how much. Reichman quotes "to provide the students with a wide range of educational materials that will enrich and support the curriculum and meet the needs of students and faculty" as he explains the purpose of for the selection policy of course materials. However, If the purpose is to meet the needs of both students and teachers, how come student are not given a choice to decide for themselves. Schools can choose the textbooks and supplemental reading used in the classrooms but should not limit or restrict the accessibility of other types of books to students in school libraries. By censoring the books in the school library, school are limiting students access to quality of education. Many students like myself look forward to leisure or personal reading, because the class reading were very boring and dry. It was rare that we read something we could relate to in school and the very few books that i enjoy i can still remember what they were about and are in my list of favorite books. If students cannot find a variety of books in their school library or public library were they can learn to explore, develop and pursue their own interest. In the article that i link gives us a history of censorship of school materials started of during the 1982 after court case pleaded in favor of parents and students request for the removal of certain books from school libraries which range from anti-Semitic to anti- American. However i think there needs to re-evaluate the method or guidelines in which they choose which books are banned or withdrawn from school libraries. If the withdrawls of these book limits or prevents student from learning or getting full picture or perspectives and necessary information that would help them become a respectful, tolerable and open minded person then there's a problem. If the purpose of censorship is not to protect the young minds of student from exposing them to things that they are not old enough or mature enough to handle and becomes a tool of keeping them uninformed.
http://www.ericdigests.org/pre-9215/library.htm