
Educational Censorship
The Issue
PEN America is a national leader in fighting educational censorship in both higher ed and K-12. Our signature campaign against educational gag orders — legislative restrictions on the freedom to learn and teach that have swept the country since January 2021 — has generated media coverage in over a hundred publications. We will continue to expand our work to defend students and teachers against legislative infringements on free expression in the classroom.
PEN America tracks these bills in our Index of Educational Gag Orders, updated weekly.
REPORTS

Educational Intimidation

America's Censored Classrooms

Educational Gag Orders
Commentary
PEN America: Withdrawal by Arkansas of AP African-American Studies Course is “Reckless and Ideologically-Motivated”
August 15, 2023PEN America: “Disturbing” Decision to Take Away 28 School Libraries in Houston
July 28, 2023“Blatantly Inappropriate Investigation” of Texas A&M Professor After She Criticized the Lieutenant Governor
July 25, 2023If you live in the United States, it’s likely that your state legislature or school district has either passed an educational gag order or is considering doing so.
Want to help combat this threat to free expression, but don’t know where to start? Here are a few steps you can take as a citizen to help change the conversation in your community.