News Summary
South Carolina has become the state with the highest number of school book bans in the United States, removing 22 titles from public school libraries. This surpasses Utah’s previous record of 17 banned books. The decision stems from complaints by a local parent, leading to the ban of numerous titles deemed inappropriate under Regulation 43-170, which regulates educational content. Critics argue that the bans raise concerns about educational access and censorship, highlighting the ongoing debate about parental rights versus student access to diverse literature.
Columbia, South Carolina — South Carolina has taken the lead nationally in school book bans, having removed a total of 22 titles from public school classrooms and libraries. This move surpasses Utah, which previously held the record with 17 banned books. The South Carolina Board of Education recently approved the removal of an additional 10 titles, cementing the state’s position as a central figure in the ongoing debate over educational content in public schools.
Over half of the banned books derive from complaints made by a single parent, known as Elizabeth “Ivie” Szalai, from Beaufort County. Szalai’s objections led her to initially seek the ban of 97 books at the district level. She contended that many of these texts contained explicit sexual content unsuitable for K-12 students.
The removals of these books are legally grounded in Regulation 43-170, a guideline which permits the banning of books if they include descriptions or visual representations of sexual conduct deemed inappropriate for students across all grade levels. Following complaints, the titles were examined by the Instructional Materials Review Committee (IMRC), and subsequently escalated to the state board for a decision. In these recent votes, only two out of the 17 board members opposed the decision to ban the books.
Among the notable titles that have been removed are popular works, such as:
- Collateral by Ellen Hopkins
- Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
- Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- Hopeless by Colleen Hoover
- Identical by Ellen Hopkins
- Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas
- Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
- All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
- Normal People by Sally Rooney
- Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
- A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas (multiple titles)
Critics of the ban, including organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), argue that allowing one person’s complaints to dictate educational materials is problematic. This has sparked widespread debate about the implications of Regulation 43-170, which came into effect in June 2024, and its effect on educational access and content.
While access to certain content has been restricted, “Crank” by Ellen Hopkins has been designated as requiring parental permission for high school students to borrow, highlighting the ongoing challenge in balancing the needs of students with parental concerns. As the state navigates this contentious issue, the implications of these bans will likely continue to be a focal point of community and educational discussions.
The conversation surrounding book value versus parental rights remains significant, with many stakeholders advocating for a more inclusive approach to education that respects diverse viewpoints while preparing students for a complex world. South Carolina’s crackdown on educational materials might set a precedent other states will feel compelled to follow, further igniting debates across the nation on the role of literature in education.
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Additional Resources
- WYFF4 News
- Wikipedia: Book Banning
- Island Packet
- Google Search: South Carolina book bans
- WISTV
- Google Scholar: Book Bans in Education
- Book Riot
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Book Banning
- Fox Carolina
- Google News: South Carolina schools book bans
