Posted inBook Review

Scholastic reverses censoring “Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice” collection

In a letter addressed to their authors and community, Scholastic Trade Publishing President Ellie Berger revealed that Scholastic has reversed its previously contentious decision regarding the optional status of diverse texts at Scholastic Book Fairs. This letter was not released to the public but posted on social media last night by several authors, who addressed […]

Posted inInstruction & Curriculum

Scholastic faces criticism for creating separate section for BIPOC authors

Scholastic, a staple in children’s literature, has sparked controversy with its recent decision to create a separate section called “Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice” for diverse titles at its Book Fairs. Each Rising Voices Library was designed for students to have access to high-interest, culturally relevant texts that celebrate the stories of the historically underrepresented. […]

Posted inHigher Education

California awards $1 million to reduce out-of-school suspensions that affect marginalized students

With the aim of reducing out-of-school suspensions and fostering alternatives to punitive measures for Transitional Kindergarten through twelfth-grade students, California’s legislature has granted $1 million over three years to the newly established Race Education and Community Healing (REACH) Network. Led by the UC Berkeley School of Education and the UCLA Center for the Transformation of […]

Posted inInstruction & Curriculum

Banned Books Week: The Most Banned Books in 2022

Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe: Gender Queer: A Memoir is a 2019 graphic memoir written and illustrated by Maia Kobabe. It recounts Kobabe’s journey from adolescence to adulthood and the author’s exploration of gender identity and sexuality, ultimately identifying as being outside of the gender binary. Reasons for bans: LGBTQIA+ content claimed to be sexually explicit All Boys […]

Posted inCurrent Events in Education

Controversial Literature on Wheels: Banned Books Wagon Touring the American South”Banned Books Wagon will tour in the American South

Next week is Banned Books Week, and to bring awareness to the continued banning of books in school districts across America, the Penguin Random House’s Banned Book Wagon will be traveling throughout the American South to bring awareness to the banning of books. In conjunction with the Freedom to Read Foundation, PEN American and Free […]

Posted inPedagogy

Finding Jungles in the City

Sparking Scientific Curiosity Through Relevance One of the problems with STEM education in the United States is its accessibility. Specifically, the inaccessibility gap between students from well-resourced schools and those without. Having AP course offerings, funding for lab materials, access to structured readiness programs, and even something as simple as an Algebra II class can […]

Posted inPedagogy

Why I Threw Out My Science Textbook

Students need access to BIPOC and LGBTQ perspectives across content areas  Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! “I wish every month was Black History month.”  “Shut up about it already and get over it; it’s over, accept it and move on.”  A year later, this […]