Most students read carefully censored books. The pursuit of 'neutrality' often leads to censorship. The American Textbook Publishers Institute has counseled publishers 'to avoid statements that might prove offensive to economic, religious, racial or social groups or any civil, fraternal, patriotic, or philanthropic societies in the whole United States'. Textbook manufacturers appear to have responded in some cases by deleting materials reflecting cultural differences that might have offended someone. Interest group pressures from diverse ideological camps have resulted in the deletion of materials that would undercut the perception of an American monopoly on decency, as variously defined.
American policy is sanitized.
Books rarely report questionable government action. Government decisions that appear decent or beneficial are often portrayed without any of the political controversy that created them. Most states and districts have established careful processes to determine what information is provided to students. This process also frequently acts in such a way as to limit exposure to controversial viewpoints or subjects. When teachers use the Internet with their students, decisions about the appropriateness of certain materials are no longer under the control of school textbook publishers or school textbook selection committees.