On Removing Sexism from Reading Materials

1974 NCTE Annual Business Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana

Background Sex-role stereotyping and sexist language occur in reading materials and in classroom practices in the teaching of reading from the earliest grades on.  Be it therefore Resolution Resolved, that the National Council of Teachers of English express its concern about such materials and practices to those who publish these materials and to those who train personnel with primary responsibility for reading programs in the schools; and           that since the major national effort to improve the teaching of reading is under the aegis of Right to Read, NCTE, with the Committee on the Role and Status of Women, express its concern to local, state, and national directors of Right to Read, urging them to sensitize teachers to the ways sexist practices inhibit the full development of literacy.