Teacher Tea
Military Schools Restrict Curriculum: The Fight Over Diversity in Education
The Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) has ordered the removal of books and lessons related to immigration, gender, and sexuality from schools serving military families, following executive orders from President Donald Trump. The directive affects students from elementary to high school, and requires educators to pull materials pending a review for compliance with new policies aimed at eliminating diversity-focused content. The affected materials include AP Psychology lessons on sexuality and gender, elementary school discussions on transgender history, and books like Becoming Nicole, a non-fiction book about a transgender activist. School libraries are also undergoing a content review, temporarily suspending book checkouts in some locations. The policy is part of a broader federal effort to remove diversity and equity discussions from government institutions, including the military, with similar measures leading to the disbandment of race- and gender-focused cadet clubs at West Point, along with the cancellation of observances of cultural awareness months, like Black History Month.
The Trump administration has repeatedly stated that these policies reflect the will of the people, who overwhelmingly supported the MAGA platform in November’s election. Throughout his campaign, President Trump emphasized that taxpayer-funded schools, particularly those serving military families, should focus on core academic subjects rather than social issues. His supporters argue that these measures reinforce educational fundamentals by removing politically-charged content from the curriculum. They maintain that parents, not government bureaucrats, should have the primary role in guiding discussions on complex topics like gender and immigration.
Critics, however, argue that removing books about gender and diversity limits students' exposure to diverse perspectives, hindering their ability to understand the complexities of the world. They contend that education should equip students with broad knowledge, and that without diverse viewpoints, students cannot develop empathy and a deeper understanding of different experiences. Teachers and librarians fighting to retain these books assert that such censorship promotes exclusion, especially for students exploring their own identities, while inclusive education should promote respect for all.
Editor Nicholas Slayton describes the executive order in more detail for Task and Purpose, in his article “Department of Defense Tells Its Schools ‘Do Not Use’ Certain Lessons.” You can find his article through the link below, and an interview with Nicole Maines, the subject of Becoming Nicole.
Ultimately, who is responsible for determining whether content is "diversity-focused"? What criteria are they using? And is there a process for appeal?