Curriculum News in Brief

After Controversy, District Dumps Offending Books

By Liana Loewus — October 27, 2015 | Corrected: November 04, 2015 1 min read
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Corrected: An earlier version of this brief mischaracterized when the district collected the books. The books were pulled before students ever saw them. Then the district apologized in a Facebook post after a freelance blogger brought the story to light.

The Minneapolis district last week sent out a notice saying it is immediately ending the use of all Reading Horizons instructional materials.

The district has been embroiled in a controversy over its K-2 curriculum since teachers pointed out this summer that the early-reader books were filled with racial, gender, and cultural stereotypes.

The district pulled the offending books before students ever saw them. After a freelance blogger brought the story to light, the district apologized. Officials vowed to work with the publisher to fix the curriculum, but later voted to cancel the contract.

A version of this article appeared in the October 28, 2015 edition of Education Week as After Controversy, District Dumps Offending Books

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