MCTE aligns with our parent organization, National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), in recognition that all students deserve access to developmentally appropriate curriculum and materials that promote critical inquiry, represent diverse perspectives, including those who are BIPOC and LGBTQ+, and foster respect for all. NCTE offers resources and guidance for educators in selecting materials during this time of increased book and curricular challenges in schools. Please visit NCTE’s Intellectual Freedom Center.
For additional support on intellectual freedom issues, connect with a member of our advocacy group composed of MCTE members and experts who are familiar with the diverse teaching contexts in Minnesota. Email Lisa Ortmann, MCTE Intellectual Freedom Chair, at lisaortmann@gustavus.edu.
MCTE Intellectual Freedom Resources
Two recent MCTE Spring Conferences have featured sessions related to book challenges and intellectual freedom. Here are resources related to those sessions:
Book Rationales Workshop Resources (Arnold & Lloyd, 2023)
When Reading Gets Risky: Selecting and Defending Literature for the Classroom Resources (Scarbrough & Lloyd, 2022)