A Battle Over Book Exclusions: California Bill Hangs in Limbo
A California bill that aims to promote diverse perspectives in schools is facing uncertainty after a recent state Senate committee vote. Assembly Bill 1078, introduced by Assemblyman Corey Jackson, seeks to prevent local school boards from excluding books that touch on critical race theory, gender ideology, and other important topics.
The bill was unanimously placed on the “suspense file” by the state Senate Appropriations Committee, which serves as a holding place for bills with significant fiscal implications. On September 1, the committee will reevaluate the suspense bills and decide whether to advance them or effectively kill them, according to state Senate guidelines.
Assembly Bill 1078, if passed, would require a two-thirds supermajority vote by a school board to exclude a book for any reason other than those related to race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. The bill also mandates audits of library and classroom books, with potential funding penalties for districts that lack diverse instructional materials, as per the California Department of Education’s standards.
During a state Senate Education Committee hearing, Assemblyman Corey Jackson emphasized the importance of the bill in addressing instances where books were removed from schools based on race or sexuality. He argued that such book bans limit students’ access to diverse stories and perspectives, hinder teaching and learning, and silence marginalized authors.
However, during the appropriations hearing, Trustee Sonja Shaw from Chino Valley Unified and Trustee Jennifer Wiersma from Temecula Valley Unified expressed opposition to the bill. Ms. Shaw criticized it as an overreach that undermines local boards and disenfranchises voters, warning of financial consequences and the erosion of parental involvement in education. Ms. Wiersma raised concerns about potential legal risks for school boards if they were unable to remove inappropriate materials.
Chino Valley Unified School District in Chino, Calif., in April 2021. (Google Maps/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)
Despite the opposition, the bill has already passed the state Assembly floor and the Senate’s Education Committee. Its fate now rests with the Senate’s Appropriations Committee, which will determine whether it advances or remains on suspense.
Temecula Valley Unified School District Administration Center in Temecula, Calif., on Aug. 22, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)
The battle over book exclusions in California schools continues, with Assembly Bill 1078 at the center of the debate.
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