Parents Get Books Suspended From High School Reading List
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - There have been seven books suspended from Highland Park schools. The action was taken because a group of parents wanted them off school reading lists. They say the content isn't age appropriate.
While the first group may have gotten their way for now, a second group of parents are planning to fight the suspension.
The second group of parents believes the suspension of the books unfairly impacts all Highland Park high school students. The other side says the district should not have references of explicit sex in books that are required reading for teenagers.
Parent Tavia Hunt said, "We're really talking about obscene literature."
Hunt insists that having books banned from the school wasn't her mission. But said there's a problem when schools require students to read books that she deems inappropriate. Ultimately she wanted and received change.
"What we are talking about is required reading in classrooms on books that are so graphic that they make kids feel uncomfortable."
Seven listed literary pieces for Highland Park High students were officially shelved after being temporarily removed from a student reading list. The administration made the move after Hunt and some 100 other packed a school board meeting and complained.
Highland Park ISD Superintendent Dawson Orr officially removed the texts on Monday.
"We don't want parents to feel marginalized or pitted against each other," he said. "And we have a policy to reconsider materials."
Natalie Davis, Laurie Steinberg and other parents say the district is pitting parents against each other with the decision.
"I very disappointed," Davis said. "Disappointed for my daughter, her class, and our community. I'm very proud of our community, and this is a dark spot."
Davis and Steinberg have crafted their own parent group supporting teachers who created the reading list. They say this fight isn't over.
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