September 2009

Welcome Back to School!
If last year is any indication of the type of year ahead for education professionals, then in the immortal and retouched words of Bette Davis, “Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy year.”

In this issue we hope to assist and assure you that NCTE/SLATE is doing its part to offer rational solutions to issues of concern at state and national levels.

Highlighted here also are policies regarding censorship, Banned Books Week, and the National Day on Writing.

In this issue you’ll also find links to state legislative websites; if you have not contacted your local, state, or national representatives, there is no time like the present to voice your concerns, or praises.

The current and future status of American education, from pre-Kindergarten to post graduate, relies on leveled, learned, experienced men and women who have the profession’s best interests at heart. Thus, whether you are heading into an English language arts class for the first time, or for the start of your 40th year, know that your presence matters, your voice matters, and your instruction matters. Know also that you do not walk alone: NCTE/SLATE is there, too.

October 15
Is the Deadline for Submitting an NCTE Resolution

NCTE Policy Resources
· Action Center  
· Anti-Censorship Center
· Position Statements
· Policy Collections
· Executive Committee Strategic Governance Policies (scroll to the bottom of the page)
· SLATE Website 

Find Your Elected Representatives
· Congress.org

Contribute to SLATE 
Your donation to SLATE will help us to implement and publicize the policies adopted by NCTE, to support NCTE's anti-censorship work, and to influence public attitudes and policy decisions affecting the teaching of English language arts at local, state, and national levels.

Donations can be made through the NCTE online store.

NCTE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and all donations are tax deductible. Donations received by December 31 may be deducted from your income taxes for that year.

Censorship
Don't Let It Become an Issue in Your Schools

As teachers gear up or return to school, deciding which books to include in their planning or class libraries can prove difficult. Even if you allow students the right to choose their reading for literature circles or book clubs, their choices may lead to parent and administrative complaints. To avoid such issues always follow school and school district policies regarding book adoption. If you find that neither your school nor your district has such policies, draft them and follow procedures for having those policies debated and approved. Waiting until your book selection is challenged may be too late. A good place to start your draft is by reviewing NCTE's position statements on censorship, Rationales for Teaching Challenged Books CDs, and Anti-Censorship Center.

Should you find yourself at the center of a challenge, visit the Anti-Censorship Center and use the online "Report A Censorship Incident" form or call Millie Davis, NCTE Division Director of Communications and Affiliate Services, at 800-369-6283, ext. 3634.

Banned Books Week: September 26-October 3
Established by the American Library Association (ALA) in 1982 and observed annually the last week of September, Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted.

Ask Your Legislators to Support the National Day on Writing
Watch Your Email for Action Alerts
NCTE members have sent more than 2,500 letters to legislators asking for their support of the resolution declaring October 20 the National Day on Writing; because of these efforts the House of Representatives will soon vote on H. Res. 524 and the Senate resolution will soon be introduced.

Watch your email in the next week or two for action alerts urging you to write to your members of Congress to ask your (1) Representatives to vote "yes" for H. Res. 524 and (2) Senators to co-sponsor or support the Senate resolution on the National Day on Writing.

Is Your Piece in the National Gallery of Writing?
The Gallery Will Be Unveiled on October 20 
More than 900 local galleries have been created and nearly 2,000 compositions have been submitted so far. It's time for you to add your story, video, poem, recipe, text message, letter -- any piece of writing in any form -- to a Gallery. 

Tell Us How You're Celebrating the National Day on Writing!
27 Days Until the National Day!
Schools, local and state NCTE affiliates, college English departments, and community organizations are preparing for their own National Day on Writing celebrations. See the NCTE website for tips for writers, ideas for celebrating, tools for gallery curators, testimonials from authors, and more. Be sure to share your celebration plans with NCTE!


Don't Miss These Sessions on Censorship and Advocacy
Early Registration for the Annual Convention Closes October 23

General Session, Thurs. 11/19, 6:30-8 pm: presentation of the NCTE/SLATE National Intellectual Freedom Award

A.06, Fri. 11/20, 9:30-10:45 am: "Developing Policies for Challenged Books" (sponsored by SLATE)

A.36, Fri. 11/20, 9:30-10:45 am: "Federal Policy and Literacy Education: What's in Play? and How Is NCTE Contributing?"

B.05, Fri. 11/20, 11 am-12:15 pm: "Defending Intellectual Freedom" (sponsored by the Standing Committee Against Censorship)

NCTE Central Learning Lab Session, Fri. 11/20, 12:30–1:45 pm: "Make a Difference in Federal Policy"

Affiliate Breakfast, Sat. 11/21, 7-9:15 am: presentation of NCTE/SLATE Affiliate Intellectual Freedom Awards

SLATE Steering Committee Meeting, Sat. 11/21, 8-10 am

G.10, Sat. 11/21, 9:30-10:45 am: "Reading between Community Lines: Service Learning and the English Classroom" (sponsored by SLATE)

Standing Committee Against Censorship Committee Meeting, Sat. 11/21, 10 am-Noon

L.08, Sun. 11/22, 8:30-9:45 am: "Censorship in All Its Forms: From Dialogue to Action" (sponsored by the Standing Committee Against Censorship)

W.09, Mon. 11/23, 9 am–3:30 pm: "The Case for the Book: Surviving the Challenges of Teaching Challenging Texts" (sponsored by SLATE)