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South Carolina Leads Nation in Public School Book Bans

A school library with removed titles illustrates the ongoing debate on censorship and education.

News Summary

South Carolina has become the national leader in banning public school books, having removed 22 titles from classrooms and libraries. The Board of Education voted to exclude 10 books as part of new regulations limiting access to literature containing depictions of sexual conduct for students K-12. This decision follows complaints from parents and has sparked criticism from organizations advocating for children’s access to diverse literature. The ongoing debate around censorship and educational content continues to intensify as advocates from both sides argue about the appropriateness and impact of such bans.

Columbia, South Carolina – South Carolina has become the national leader in public school book bans, with a total of 22 titles now removed from classrooms and libraries. The South Carolina Board of Education made this decision on May 6, 2025, when it voted to exclude 10 specific books from all public schools across various grade levels as part of a new regulation.

The regulation, known as Regulation 43-170, prohibits any book containing depictions of “sexual conduct” for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. This new ban follows a complaint from a single parent, who previously sought to eliminate similar books from the Beaufort County Schools. Since the implementation of these new guidelines, the number of banned books has nearly doubled, increasing from 12 to the current count of 22.

The list of banned titles includes notable works, such as the children’s biography of tennis legend Billie Jean King, I Am Billie Jean King. Concerns arose surrounding this book due to its references to King’s sexual orientation, which some deem unsuitable for its intended age group of 5 to 9 years old. Although this book has been removed from general library access, it will still be available in the school counselor’s office, providing it is accompanied by written parental consent.

The decision to ban these books has drawn criticism from various organizations, including the ACLU South Carolina, which argues that removing these titles restricts children’s access to literature that offers valuable perspectives and insights on different life experiences. Critics also pointed out that the South Carolina Board of Education did not conduct a comprehensive review of the content before voting to remove the books, raising concerns over the robustness and fairness of the decision-making process.

ACLU-SC highlighted that board members and Department of Education officials were not mandated to read any of the banned books prior to the vote, calling into question the effectiveness of the regulation process. Other titles that have been banned deal with issues surrounding sexual violence, mental health topics, and other complex subjects which can aid in students’ understanding of contemporary societal challenges.

Opposition to the ban has been notable, with only two votes cast against the removal of the latest batch of 10 titles. Before South Carolina’s recent record, Utah held the distinction for the most banned books at a total of 17. The legal framework allowing parents to file complaints about school books was enacted in August 2024 and empowers school districts to either completely remove books or limit access based on grade levels.

Supporters of the bans, such as the conservative advocacy group Moms for Liberty, assert that the excluded books possess “pornographic material” and are inappropriate for children. On the opposite end of the spectrum, organizations like PEN America have voiced concerns that these actions represent a form of censorship, stifling free expression and hindering students’ ability to engage with pertinent issues facing society.

As South Carolina grapples with its new status as the state with the highest number of banned books in the country, the ongoing dialogue about censorship, educational content, and children’s access to diverse literature continues to evolve. With increased scrutiny on what young readers can access in schools, the debate surrounding book bans and parental rights is likely to persist in both public discourse and educational policy.