Christopher Finan

19 Fulton Street, Suite 407

Executive Director
dddd New York, NY 10038
NCAC PARTICIPATING
tel: (212) 807-6222 ORGANIZATIONS
fax: (212) 807-6245 Actors Equity Association

e-mail: ncac@ncac.org American Association of

[Via Electronic Mail] web: www.ncac.org School Administrators

American Association of

September 15, 2017 University Professors

American Association of
University Women
Board of Directors American Booksellers for Free
Rocklin Academy Family of Schools Expression
2204 Plaza Dr. Suite 200, Rocklin, CA 95765 American Civil Liberties Union
American Ethical Union
American Federation of Teachers
American Jewish Committee
Dear Rocklin County Board of Directors: American Library Association
American Literary Translators
Association
American Orthopsychiatric Association
As advocates for the right of free expression, we write to express our concern that a American Society of Journalists &
recent book controversy has triggered a reconsideration of the Rocklin Academy Authors
Americans United for Separation of
literature policy, which fosters a love for reading and the free exchange of ideas. Church & State
Association of American Publishers
Several months ago, a transitioning Rocklin Academy kindergartner selected Jessica Authors Guild
Herthels I Am Jazz as her choice for story time. We are aware that the decision to read Catholics for Choice

aloud the childrens book about a young girl struggling with her gender identity Childrens Literature Association
College Art Association
distressed some parents, who believe the topic is too sensitive for kindergartners and Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
are upset that they were not notified in advance. A few threatened to sue. The Creative Coalition
Directors Guild of America
We believe that Rocklin Academy did nothing wrong. The First Amendment guarantees The Dramatists Guild of America
Dramatists Legal Defense Fund
the right of students to read and learn anything that is educationally appropriate. Educational Book & Media Association
Indeed, it is required to uphold the educational standards set forth by California law, First Amendment Lawyers Association
which promote broad cultural literacy under the guidance of trained educators and Free Speech Coalition
International Literacy Association
prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender. Lambda Legal
Modern Language Association
It is our understanding that the board of directors will meet on Monday to review its National Center for Science Education
literature policy. We know that some parents are calling for restriction on books that National Communication Association

can be used in the classroom. We urge you to resist these demands. National Council for the Social Studies
National Council of the Churches
National Council of Jewish Women
While parents may request an alternate assignment for their child if they find a National Council of Teachers of English
particular book offensive, no parent has the right decide what other children read. National Education Association
Media reports indicate that many parents of children in Rocklin Academy strongly National Youth Rights Association
The Newspaper Guild/CWA
supported the reading of I Am Jazz. PEN American Center
People For the American Way
We are also concerned by calls for expanded parental notification of potentially Planned Parenthood Federation
offensive books. Singling out certain types of content for parental notification casts a of America

negative light on the material regardless of its educational value. Flagging I Am Jazz and Project Censored
SAG-AFTRA
other books about gender identity would favor those who wish to shield their children Sexuality Information & Education
from such discussions over parents who trust the professional judgment of educators. Council of the U.S.
Society of Childrens Book Writers
NCAC strongly supports the literature policy of the Rocklin Academy Family of Schools, & Illustrators
Student Press Law Center
which protects the right of all its students to read freely. We also applaud school Union for Reform Judaism
administrators for their fair and considered response to the controversy over I Am Jazz, Union of Democratic Intellectuals
which respects and protects the First Amendment rights of all. Unitarian Universalist Association
United Church of Christ
Office of Communication
United Methodist Church,
Sincerely yours, United Methodist Communications
Womens American ORT
Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance
Writers Guild of America, East
Writers Guild of America, West
Christopher M. Finan, Executive
Director National Coalition Against
Censorship
Millie Davis, Director
Intellectual Freedom Center
National Council of Teachers

Charles Brownstein, Director

Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
Mary Rasenberger, Director
Authors Guild
Sofia Castillo, Director
Free Expression Advocacy
Association of AmericanPublishers
English