public education

Our Diverse Books Are Under Attack!

Our Diverse Books Are Under Attack!

By Mikhail Razzak, age 13 and IndyKids staff

The number of book challenges in the United States rose from 156 in all of 2020 to 330 in just the fall of 2021, according to a new American Library Association report. Since January 2021, more than 30 states have introduced classroom censorship laws which regulate discussions and literature, according to PEN America.

“Don’t Say Gay” Bill Passes in Florida. What’s Next?

By Jessie Mitnick, age 14

The Parental Rights in Education bill, which aims to restrict teachers’ ability to discuss or teach anything related to sexual orientation and gender identity within classrooms, was signed into law at the end of March by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Supporters of the legislation say that it will improve parents’ ability to control the information that children receive regarding LGBTQ+ topics, therefore giving them increased parental control and authority. However, it has been dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” law by critics because it could effectively eliminate people’s right to even mention something related to the LGBTQ+ community within a school environment.

Why is Critical Race Theory Under Attack?

By Luca Cantagallo, age 11 and IndyKids staff

CRT is a way of reexamining U.S. history through a lens of racism. The academic framework was developed in the 1970s and ‘80s and predominantly taught in colleges and universities. It centers on the concept that racism in the United States is systemic and ingrained in institutions⁠—like government, education and media⁠—which, it is argued, work to perpetuate white supremacy. CRT is a complex theory, and according to AP News, there is “little to no evidence that [it] is being taught to K-12 public school students.”

Personal Report: The Challenges of Educating During a Pandemic

By Arnay Agarwal, Age 12 Teachers are great problem solvers, but the coronavirus pandemic has presented challenges unlike any other. From technical glitches to exposing the socioeconomic inequities of education to dealing with overstretched parents, teachers are now having to act as IT professionals and counselors. Over 1 billion children around the world have been …

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Personal Report: The Challenges of Educating During a Pandemic

By Arnay Agarwal, Age 12 & IndyKids Staff Teachers are great problem solvers, but the coronavirus pandemic has presented challenges unlike any other. From technical glitches to exposing the socioeconomic inequities of education to dealing with overstretched parents, teachers are now having to act as IT professionals and counselors. Over 1 billion children around the …

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