Report: NYC School Book Lists Skew Too White, Need To Better Reflect Student Population

A new analysis finds the vast majority of authors taught in New York City public schools are white at a time when the student population is overwhelmingly black and brown. 

The Coalition for Educational Justice reviewed 1200 books used in pre-K through eighth grade and found only 200 were by authors of color.

Recent high school graduate Jace Valentine said she wasn't exposed to literature by black authors. "I never knew about Ida B. Wells like I did Shakespeare," she said. "I never knew studied June Jordan like I did Edgar Allen Poe."

The group of students, parents and educators want the Department of Education to overhaul its materials so they're more relevant to students. They're calling for $60 million to be invested in the effort. Coalition coordinator Natasha Capers said it's about building a curriculum that represents a range of identities, including gender, sexuality and ableism as well as ethnicity.

"It's deeper than race," she said. "But let's start."

Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza has said developing more culturally relevant lessons is a top priority and new booklists are coming.

"We are currently reviewing our book lists to ensure they are reflective of the lived experiences of our students, and will be releasing new lists in the next few months," said spokesperson Danielle Filson.