Recent research demonstrates that one in five school districts is under pressure to purge objectionable books from its libraries and classrooms. This paper briefly summarizes literature and court decisions dealing with censorship in the schools and describes a study of censorship in Illinois schools. In the study, a 68-item questionnaire asked 200…

The extent and nature of censorship in Illinois social studies classrooms is assessed. A questionnaire included in the state Council for the Social Studies newsletter asked social studies teachers at all levels to respond to a 12-item questionnaire covering censorship of texts, teaching methods, textbook selection processes, and origins of…

Presents results of an Illinois State survey of 200 high school principals (48-percent return) in which respondents indicated the extent of censorship pertaining to teaching methods and textbooks and the originators of the censorship. Indicates that many potential items for censorship have not been of concern. (DC)

While censorship pressures emanate from all points on the political spectrum at different times, the current censorship movement comes mostly from political conservatives. Censorship efforts by the Reagan administration include barring entry of foreign speakers whose views do not coincide with those of the administration, inhibiting the free flow…