Book ban investigations ended, including complaints against Forsyth County Schools
FILE - Books on a shelf in an elementary school library.
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. - The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has announced it will no longer investigate school book removals, effectively ending its involvement in the nationwide debate over so-called "book bans."
What we know:
This decision includes the dismissal of 11 federal complaints filed against Forsyth County School District in Georgia, where the removal of eight books from middle and high school libraries in 2022 sparked widespread attention.
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The department has also rescinded all guidance issued under the theory that removing age-inappropriate books could violate civil rights laws. Additionally, OCR will dismiss six other pending allegations related to book removals and eliminate the position of "book ban coordinator," established in 2023 under the Biden administration.
The backstory:
In June 2023, then-President Biden announced the creation of a "book ban coordinator" within OCR. This role aimed to guide schools in ensuring student access to books, even those containing sexually explicit or racially sensitive content, under the argument that limiting such access could create a hostile environment and violate students' civil rights.
The first complaint under this initiative was filed on February 23, 2022, against Forsyth County School District, alleging that removing eight books due to sexually explicit content violated Title IX and Title VI.
While OCR's Atlanta regional office initially sought to dismiss the complaint for lack of merit, the Washington, D.C.-based leadership overruled this decision and extracted a resolution agreement from the district. This agreement required schools to post statements promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and encouraged students to file Title IX and Title VI complaints.
What they're saying:
"By dismissing these complaints and eliminating the position and authorities of a so-called ‘book ban coordinator,’ the department is beginning the process of restoring the fundamental rights of parents to direct their children’s education," said Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor. "The department adheres to the deeply rooted American principle that local control over public education best allows parents and teachers alike to assess the educational needs of their children and communities."
Big picture view:
The Department of Education’s decision marks a significant policy shift, emphasizing local control over education and parental involvement in determining school library content. This move reflects broader national debates over educational content, parental rights, and the role of federal oversight in local school decisions.
What's next:
The department will terminate the resolution agreements previously imposed on districts, including Forsyth County, and remove any associated obligations. Moving forward, school districts will have broader discretion in managing their library collections without fear of federal civil rights investigations.