How to fight Texas’ ‘trash’ school library censorship policies
| July 3, 2025
bannedbooks | EXCO-Player | old texas | public education | public school | TEXAS | TEXAS LEGISLATURE | TEXAS POLITICS | TEXAS SENATE | youtube
Senate Bill 13, which literacy advocates say will destroy public school libraries and make book banning easier in Texas, takes power away from public school librarians and gives it to school boards and parents instead.
But local advocates like Laney Hawes, co-director of the Texas Freedom to Read Project, are fighting back.
SB 13 creates an advisory committee made up of parents that school boards can delegate decision making to, but there’s an option in the new law that allows districts to not adopt the council.
“ Our recommendation is, to districts, do not approve the library council in your school districts because it doesn't work,” Hawes told COURIER Texas. “It wasn't written to work. Don't do it. It's too many steps, and it’s going to destroy your school library.”
Book Banning in Texas Public Schools Just Got Easier
| June 11, 2025
bannedbooks | book ban | EXCO-Player | old texas | public education | public school | TEXAS | TEXAS LEGISLATURE | youtube
From taking power away from school librarians to requiring age verification in public libraries, book banning was top-of-mind for Republican lawmakers in Texas this legislative session.
To see which bills passed, check the link in bio.
James Talarico Scolds Greg Abbott for His ‘Betrayal’ of Public Schools
| May 21, 2025
EDUCATION | EXCO-Player | old texas | politics | public education | public schools | TEXAS | TEXAS POLITICS | youtube
Betrayal with the stroke of a pen.
School Vouchers Will Hurt Texas Teachers Like Me
| May 20, 2025
bookbans | EDUCATION | EXCO-Player | old texas | OPINION | public education | TEXAS | TEXAS POLITICS | youtube
For Traci Dunlap, the fight over school vouchers in Texas is a personal one.
‘Teens Have First Amendment Rights’: Ex Librarian Opposes Texas Bill Limiting Library Access
| May 20, 2025
Republican lawmakers want to censor public libraries in Texas.
Parents, librarians, and freedom of speech advocates, including former public school librarian Carolyn Foote, voiced their concerns during a Senate committee hearing on April 28.