Ohio County Teachers Question Removal of Books in ‘Wit and Wisdom’ Reading Curriculum |

U.S. Deputy Marshals escort six-year-old Ruby Bridges from William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, La., in Nov. 1960. “The Story of Ruby Bridges,” a book about the young Black girl’s experiences integrating into the school, is among texts pulled from Ohio County Schools’ ‘Wit and Wisdom’ reading curriculum for content deemed inappropriate for younger students. (AP Photo)

WHEELING — A group of Ohio County teachers are hoping the issue of some books on race and religion being removed from their classrooms isn’t an open and shut chapter.

Ohio County Schools Student Services Director Raquel McLeod said about 50 Ohio County educators met online Thursday to give their thoughts on the now-absent books. These included “The Story of Ruby Bridges,” a book about a young Black girl’s experiences when she integrated into a New Orleans school in the 1960s; “Martin Luther King Jr. and the March on Washington; and “Starry Messenger: Galileo Galilei” about the astronomer whose thought that the earth revolves around the sun resulted in his persecution by the Catholic church.

Some alternatives to the books have been considered and will be ordered Monday, according to McLeod.

Following the virtual discussion it appeared as though both the removed books and the replacement books may be used in the classrooms.

“During the meeting, we talked about ways we could implement all the books dealing with Ruby Bridges and Martin Luther King and the march on Washington,” McLeod said.

“We also reviewed the book that focused on Galileo. We came up with a plan to use the three books we were concerned about as a read-aloud lesson.

“The teachers will use the three books as a read-aloud in their classroom so that any non-grade level appropriate pictures would not have to be shared with students.”

The group decided to meet again in the summer to look at all the books and lessons used to see what improvements can be made to increase student learning and make the lessons more meaningful, she added.

Ohio County Education Association President Jenny Craig wasn’t on the meeting call, but she said those who were appreciated the opportunity to express their opinions.

“Many hope that this reverses the decisions previously made and that all of the books removed or replaced will be revisited in the near future and used within the sequence of their respective grade-level curriculum,” Craig said. “We are hopeful that these decisions are being revisited with more input from a diverse group of educators.”

She added educators should be trusted to have honest, age-appropriate conversations with their students when reading and discussing books and materials in a historical context.

“A small but outspoken group of people should not have the power to influence county level decisions and dictate what should and should not be taught in our schools, and removing and replacing books based on the urging of others outside of the field of education is a dangerous precedent to set,” Craig continued.

Discussion about the district’s “Wit and Wisdom” reading curriculum began in August, when Assistant Superintendent Rick Jones said during a school board meeting that the district had received calls from members of the public concerned about the content.

Craig said the teachers also are looking forward to receiving the alternative replacement books McLeod has referenced, and “are hopeful that many of the books that were removed will be reintroduced into the curriculum after ongoing discussions.”

“Teachers should and must be vigilant when books are both removed or replaced to ensure that we are presenting unbiased, factual and realistic representations of all subject matter from science and social studies materials to our reading and language arts curriculum – and that such materials are both academically sound and age appropriate,” Craig said.

She said he hasn’t heard when the replacement books are coming, but only that some of them removed “will be revisited without a set timeline given.”

McLeod said the books are being ordered on Monday, and should be in within the next week.

In addition to “The Story of Ruby Bridges,” the school district intends to teach younger students the book “Ruby Bridges Goes To School: My True Story” written by Ruby Bridges.

“What Was The March On Washington?” will be offered as an alternative to “Martin Luther King Jr. And The March on Washington.” The latter book contained a photo showing men, women and children being sprayed with a fire hose, and McLeod said it was determined by the committee second graders “wouldn’t grasp the context.”

“Who is Galileo?” is the book the students will receive to learn about the astronomer.

“We are very lucky to have a group of committed teachers who share their knowledge and expertise to serve on our adoption committees – and to give of their own time to meet after school and discuss important issues such as effective instruction and the students well-being,” McLeod said.