Banned Books Week: October 1 – 7, 2023

This Banned Books Week, be sure to check out MEA’s “Freedom to Read” series, which explores how educators across Michigan are fighting back against political extremists and working to protect students’ freedom to read.

In the five-part series, MEA Voice Editor Brenda Ortega — a former reporter with the Los Angeles Times — examines growing calls from partisan political operatives to ban books in school libraries, as well as efforts by MEA members, parents and allies to push back on this dangerous trend.

Part I: Educators and Parents Battle Book Bans: ‘That is not who we are, and our children deserve better’

Part II: Turmoil Over Book Bans Affects Educators: ‘This is the hill I’m willing to die on’

Part III: Book challenges show need for policies to ‘uphold a constitutional promise’

Part IV: Reading, Writing, Literacy Leaders Raise Alarm over Book Bans

Part V: Freedom to Read Advocates, Please Stand Up: ‘We need positive voices in the conversation’

For News Media Newsroom

Releated

Hometown schools at risk from federal voucher program

By Chandra Madafferi, MEA President & CEO It’s back-to-school season, and in towns and cities across Michigan, parents and educators are gearing up for a new school year. Whether it’s the buzz of a Friday night football game, the excitement of a school play, or the familiar faces in the school pick-up line, our hometown […]

Federal voucher scheme passes

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor The nation’s first federal school voucher scheme was tucked inside the tax cuts and spending plan that Republicans in Congress passed and President Donald Trump signed into law on July 4. Last-minute changes require states to opt-in to participation — which adds even more significance to 2026 mid-term elections […]