Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick proposes penalties for schools that keep “vulgar” books on library shelves
Patrick says districts could lose a letter grade and state funding if they keep books he calls obscene on library shelves.
- On Wednesday, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick vowed to pass legislation punishing school districts that do not remove "obscene" books by lowering their state-mandated A-F academic accountability ratings.
- Republican-Backed Senate Bill 13, which passed last year, already allows school boards to remove books based on parental complaints; however, Patrick claims 80% of districts are not complying with the law.
- Conservative activist Bonnie Wallace identified a list of more than 2,000 books she deemed inappropriate, while Patrick cited data that more than 90% of parents would not want their children accessing such materials.
- Texas Library Association Executive Director Shirley Robinson argued that districts already have extensive review processes mandated by SB13 and that her organization will continue to support students' freedom to explore the world through reading.
- Critics argue that many targeted books explore LGBTQ+ and race issues rather than obscenity, warning the proposed legislation could empower the state to seize control of local districts by manipulating their academic performance ratings.
24 Articles
24 Articles
TX Lt Gov Vows To Punish Schools For “Vulgar Books”
The Texas Tribune reports: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Wednesday vowed to pass legislation punishing public schools that do not remove graphic books from their shelves by knocking them down a notch in the state’s annual school performance ratings, which the state uses to seize control of underperforming districts. Flanked by easels displaying printed covers of books he found obscene, the lieutenant governor said school boards and administrators have…
Lt. Gov. Patrick Proposes Penalties for Schools With “Vulgar” Books in Library
The Texas TribuneAUSTIN, TX — Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Wednesday vowed to pass legislation punishing public schools that do not remove graphic books from their shelves by knocking them down a notch in the state’s annual school performance ratings. Learn More Here.
'We're coming for the books': Lt. Gov. Patrick wants to remove 'dirty books' from public schools
The lieutenant governor said that state legislators would file a bill next session that requires the Texas Education Agency to lower a school's accountability grade if it has any copies of a challenged book on its shelves.
Lt. Gov Dan Patrick says Texas is 'coming for the books' in public school libraries
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, during a Wednesday press conference, threatened to take over public school districts that don’t remove “obscene books” from their library shelves. Specifically, the Republican culture warrior vowed to pass legislation that would knock an entire letter grade from school districts’ A-F academic accountability ratings if they refuse to remove “over 2,000 […] The post Lt. Gov Dan Patrick says Texas is ‘coming for the books’ in …
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