IF Textbooks, Instructional Materials and Media Centers IF
(See IKD and KN)
All textbooks, instructional materials and the selection criteria for district media center materials shall be subject to board approval.
Textbooks and instructional materials shall support the districtÕs instructional program. Media center materials shall support and supplement the curriculum, promote wise use of leisure time, develop literary discrimination and appreciation, and encourage students to become productive citizens.
Selection Criteria: Textbooks and Instructional Materials
Textbooks and instructional materials shall provide:
An effective education for all students;
Factual knowledge, literary appreciation, aesthetic values and ethical standards;
Practice for students to develop abilities in critical thinking, communication, mathematics and science skills.
Information which helps students develop an appreciation of American cultural, ethnic and racial diversity and balanced views concerning international, national, state and local issues and problems; and sufficient flexibility for meeting the special needs of individuals and groups.
The superintendent shall develop selection procedures which meet the above criteria, which shall include a review of available material by appropriate staff members.
Selection Criteria: Media Center Materials
Materials shall be chosen for accuracy, artistic quality, format and
authoritativeness. Materials shall be chosen on various reading levels presenting different points of view, including current issues.
Books and other media materials shall be evaluated before purchase, either through direct examination or by using reputable, unbiased, professionally prepared selection tools.
The media center(s) shall obtain, process and circulate materials and equipment and provide references and other services to students and faculty. Media specialists shall work toward providing resources so that students have an opportunity to achieve high levels of performance.
Collection Development
The media collection shall be developed systematically, be well balanced in coverage of subjects, include various types of materials and a variety of content in various formats.
The collection shall reflect, enrich and complement the broad interests represented in the curriculum. The collection should be large enough to allow materials to be placed in classrooms for extended periods of time.
Challenges of Materials
Any person having a complaint about textbooks, media center or other instructional materials shall meet with the principal. If the matter cannot be resolved, the principal shall notify the superintendent and ask the complainant to use a request for review form which is available through building principals
or at the district office. After receiving the completed form, the superintendent shall meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint.
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If the complaint is not resolved at the meeting with the superintendent, the complainant may request that the board consider the complaint. If the board chooses to consider the complaint, it shall forward all appropriate written materials to a review committee.
Review Committee
When a review committee is established by the board to handle complaints concerning textbooks, media center or instructional materials, the review committee shall be composed of:
The building principal, media specialist, two subject area specialists and two community members.
The committeeÕs charge shall be:
To review the material and prepare a written report containing conclusions and recommendations within 30 days;
To direct a written report to the board; and
To send the complainant a copy of the report.
The Review Committee Shall:
Examine and evaluate the material as a whole; consider the districtÕs policy, procedure and philosophy for selection of textbook, instructional materials and media center materials; and
Weigh strengths and weaknesses and form opinions based upon the selection criteria.
If the complainant is dissatisfied with the committeeÕs recommendation, an appeal of the decision may be made to the board for a
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hearing and final decision. If an appeal is requested by the complainant, the superintendent shall request that the board schedule an appeal and shall prepare in advance of the appeal all appropriate documentation for the boardÕs study.
Removing Challenged Materials
Challenged materials shall not be removed from use during the review period.
BOE Approval June 10, 2009
USD 434
REQUEST FOR REVIEW OF A TEXTBOOK,
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL,
OR
MEDIA CENTER MATERIAL
Request initiated by _____________________________________________________________
Telephone _____________ Address _________________________________________________
Complainant represents: _____ self; or if a group:
Name of group ___________________________________________________________________
The material I object to is a: film___ recording ____ magazine ____ pamphlet ____ textbook ____
other ____.
Book or other material _____________________________________________________________
Author (if known) _________________________________________________________________
Publisher (if known) ______________________________________________________________
1. Are you familiar with the district policy, procedure and philosophy regarding selection of text
books, instructional materials and media center materials? ____ Y ____ N
2. To what in the material do you object? (Please be specific; cite pages or items.)
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. What do you feel might be the result of using this material? ___________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
4. Did you read or view all this material? _____ If no, how were the parts selected for reading or viewing?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
5. What do you believe is the theme of this material? __________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
6. What would you recommend the school do with this material?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
7. In its place, what material of equal educational quality would you recommend?
____________________________________________________________________________
8. Additional comments: __________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
--------------------
_______________________________ ______________________________________
Administrator Signature of complainant
Date received: ___________________