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Common Ground: Speak with One Voice on Intellectual Freedom and the Defense of It.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Common Ground: Speak with One Voice on Intellectual Freedom and the Defense of It.
Language: English
Authors: Davis, James E., Neilsen, Lorri, Armstrong, Joyce, Clay, Marie M., Davis, Millie, Edmonds, Mabel T., Farstrup, Alan E., Haley-James, Shirley, Hydrick, Janie, Myers, Miles, Perry, Jesse, Russ, Wendy L., Simmons, John S., Small, Robert C., Tarleton, Anne, Thelen, Judith N., Van Horne, Geneva, Weiss, M. Jerry, National Council of Teachers of English, Urbana, IL.
Availability: National Council of Teachers of English, 1111 W. Kenyon Road, Urbana, IL 61801-1096. Tel: 1-800-369-6283 (Toll Free); Web site: http://www.ncte.org/positions/common.html.
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 12
Publication Date: 2000
Document Type: Opinion Papers
Descriptors: Censorship, Elementary Secondary Education, Intellectual Freedom, Public Schools, Student Rights
Laws, Policies and Program Identifiers: First Amendment
Abstract: All students in public school classrooms have the right to materials and educational experiences that promote open inquiry, critical thinking, diversity in thought and expression, and respect for others. Denial or restriction of this right is an infringement of intellectual freedom. Because of their almost exactly similar positions against censorship, the International Reading Association and the National Council of Teachers of English have formed a joint task force on intellectual freedom. This position paper of these organizations aims to heighten sensitivity about censorship concerns and provide a resource for communities facing challenges to intellectual freedom. The paper first cites the First Amendment and Article 19 of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights to reinforce its position. It then provides an action plan and strategies to adopt before a challenge arises and after a challenge has been made. It considers tactics both at the local level and at the state/provincial level, as well as at the national and international level. The paper offers a list of groups interested in fighting censorship and an extensive bibliography of resources. It also cites some situations that might affect teachers and censorship. (NKA)
Entry Date: 2001
Accession Number: ED452541
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:All students in public school classrooms have the right to materials and educational experiences that promote open inquiry, critical thinking, diversity in thought and expression, and respect for others. Denial or restriction of this right is an infringement of intellectual freedom. Because of their almost exactly similar positions against censorship, the International Reading Association and the National Council of Teachers of English have formed a joint task force on intellectual freedom. This position paper of these organizations aims to heighten sensitivity about censorship concerns and provide a resource for communities facing challenges to intellectual freedom. The paper first cites the First Amendment and Article 19 of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights to reinforce its position. It then provides an action plan and strategies to adopt before a challenge arises and after a challenge has been made. It considers tactics both at the local level and at the state/provincial level, as well as at the national and international level. The paper offers a list of groups interested in fighting censorship and an extensive bibliography of resources. It also cites some situations that might affect teachers and censorship. (NKA)