606 TEXTBOOKS AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to provide direction for selection of textbooks and instructional materials.
II. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY
The school district recognizes that selection of textbooks and instructional materials is a vital component of the school district’s curriculum. The school district also recognizes that it has the authority to make final decisions on selection of all textbooks and instructional materials.
III. RESPONSIBILITY OF SELECTION
A. While the school district retains its authority to make final decisions on the selection of textbooks and instructional materials, the school district recognizes the expertise of the professional staff and the vital need of such staff to be primarily involved in the recommendation of textbooks and instructional materials. Accordingly, the school board delegates to the superintendent the responsibility to direct the professional staff in formulating recommendations to the school board on textbooks and other instructional materials.
B. In reviewing textbooks and instructional materials during the selection process, the professional staff shall select materials which:
1. support the goals and objectives of the education programs;
2. consider the needs, age, and maturity of students;
3. foster respect and appreciation for cultural diversity and varied opinion;
4. fit within the constraints of the school district budget;
5. are in the English language. Another language may be used, pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 124D.61;
6. permit grade-level instruction for students to read and study America’s founding documents, including documents that contributed to the foundation or maintenance of America’s representative form of limited government, the Bill of Rights, our free-market economic system, and patriotism; and
7. do not censor or restrain instruction in American or Minnesota state history or heritage based on religious references in original source documents, writings, speeches, proclamations, or records.
C. The administration shall be responsible for developing procedures and guidelines to establish an orderly process for the review and recommendation of textbooks and other instructional materials by the professional staff. Such procedures and guidelines shall provide opportunity for input and consideration of the views of students, parents, and other interested members of the school district community. This procedure shall be coordinated with the school district’s curriculum development effort and may utilize advisory committees.
IV. SELECTION OF TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
A. The superintendent shall be responsible for keeping the school board informed of progress on the part of staff and others involved in the textbook and other instructional materials review and selection process.
B. The superintendent shall present a recommendation to the school board on the selection of textbooks and other instructional materials after completion of the review process as outlined in this policy.
V. RECONSIDERATION OF TEXTBOOKS OR OTHER INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
A. The school district recognizes differences of opinion on the part of some members of the school district community relating to certain areas of the instruction program. Interested persons may request an opportunity to review materials and submit a request for reconsideration of the use of certain textbooks or instructional materials.
B. The administration shall be responsible for the development of guidelines and procedures to identify the steps to be followed to seek reconsideration of textbooks or other instructional materials.
C. The superintendent shall present a procedure to the school board for review and approval regarding reconsideration of textbooks or other instructional materials. When approved by the school board, such procedure shall be an addendum to this policy.
Legal References: Minn. Stat. § 120A.22, Subd. 9 (Compulsory Instruction – Curriculum)
Minn. Stat. § 120B.235 (American Heritage Education)
Minn. Stat. § 123B.02, Subd. 2 (General Powers of Independent School Districts)
Minn. Stat. § 123B.09, Subd. 8 (School Board Responsibilities)
Minn. Stat. § 124D.59-124D.61 (Limited English Proficiency)
Minn. Stat. § 127A.10 (State Officials and School Board Members to be Disinterested; Penalty)
Hazelwood Sch. Dist. v. Kuhlmeier, 484 U.S. 260, 108 S.Ct. 562, 98 L.Ed.2d 592 (1988)
Pratt v. Independent Sch. Dist. No. 831, 670 F.2d 771 (8th Cir. 1982)
Cross References: MSBA/MASA Model Policy 603 (Curriculum Development)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 604 (Instructional Curriculum)
First Reading: 8/21/07, 4/18/06
Second Reading: 9/18/07, 5/23/06
Adopted: 9/18/07, 5/23/06
I. Statements of Policy and Definition
A. District 518 supports the principles of intellectual freedom inherent in the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States as expressed in official statements of professional associations. Copies of the following documents are appended and form a part of this policy: Library Bill of Rights (American Library Association), The Freedom to Read (American Library Association), The Intellectual Freedom (Association for Educational Communications and Technology), and Freedom to View (Educational Film Library Association).
B. Each building administrator shall annually provide (in Building Handbook) a copy of the Policy and Procedure for Selection and Reevaluation of Resources to all employees in his/her building. The employees shall be reminded that the right to object to a resource is one granted by policies enacted by the Board of Education.
C. For the purpose of this statement of policy, the term “resources” will refer to any person(s) or any material(s) (whether acquired or locally produced) with instructional content or function that is available or unavailable for formal or informal teaching/learning purposes. The term “unavailable” refers to a resource that has been denied inclusion. Resources include but are not limited to textbooks, other books, supplementary reading and informational materials, charts, resource people, agencies and organizations, dioramas, filmstrips, kits, machine readable data files, maps, microforms, models, motion pictures, periodicals, pictures, regalia, slides, sound recordings, transparencies, video recordings, telecommunication, the internet, computer software, plays, concerts, athletic events, and written and performed music.
II. Objectives of Selection
A. It is the responsibility of school personnel who select resources to provide resources that will support and enrich the curriculum, taking into consideration the varied interest, abilities, learning styles and maturity levels of student served.
B. It is the responsibility of school personnel who select resources to provide resources that will stimulate growth in factual knowledge, critical analysis of differing sides of issues, literary appreciation, aesthetic values, and recognition of various societal values.
C. It is the responsibility of school personnel who select resources to place principle above personal opinion and reason above prejudice in the selection of resources of the highest quality in order to assure a comprehensive collection of resources appropriate for the complete education of all students.
III. Responsibility for Selection
A. The Board of education of District 518 is legally responsible for all matters relating to the operation of the district. The Board of Education of District 518 delegates the responsibility for the selection of resources to the administrators and professional staff employed by the district, and declares that these selections shall have been made by the Board of Education of District 518.
B. The responsibility for the selection and purchase of resources rests with the professional staff.
IV. Criteria for Selection (To be used as they apply)
A. Resources shall support and be consistent with the general educational goals of District 518 and the goals and objectives of individual schools and specific courses.
B. Resources shall be chosen to support and enrich the individual school curriculum and to meet the personal needs of the students.
C. Resources shall be appropriate for the subject area and for the age, emotional development, ability level, learning styles and social development of students for whom the materials are selected.
D. Resources shall provide a background of information which will motivate students to examine their own attitudes and behavior, to comprehend their duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges as participating citizens in our society, and to make intelligent judgments in their daily lives.
E. Resources shall provide information on differing sides of issues so that users may develop the practice of critical analysis.
F. Resources shall be selected for the atypical student as well as the average student.
G. Resources shall be selected for their strengths rather than rejected for their weaknesses, and shall be judged as a whole.
V. Procedure for Selection
A. In selecting resources, professional personnel shall evaluate the available resources and curriculum needs and shall consult reputable, professionally prepared aides for selection and other appropriate sources. The actual item shall be examined when deemed appropriate.
B. Administrators, teachers, students and other school district personnel and community persons may make recommendations for purchase.
C. Gift resources, leased and loaned items shall be judged by the criteria outlined in IV, page 2 and shall be accepted or rejected by those criteria.
D. Selection is an ongoing process, which includes the removal of resources, which are no longer appropriate, and replacement of resources, which are lost or damaged.
Appendix B
PROCEDURE FOR DEALING WITH AN OBJECTION TO A RESOURCE
A. Occasional objections to resources will be made despite the care and procedure followed in their selection. Therefore, school personnel should be prepared to uphold the freedom of access to information.
B. Any resident or employee of the school district may object to the inclusion or exclusion of resources in the district’s educational program on the basis of appropriateness.
C. An objection is defined as a verbal or written statement of opposition to a resource, request that it be excluded, included or restricted.
D. All residents and employees of the school district shall adhere to the Policy and Procedure for Selection and Reevaluation of Resources.
E. The same criteria will be used in reevaluation of resources as in selection, outlined in II; objectives of Selection and the disposition of the resource will be based on the established criteria.
II. Step-By-Step Procedure When an Objection Occurs
1. When a citizen objects to material, the person receiving the complaint should attempt to informally discuss and, if possible, resolve the issue with the objector.
2. If the complaint is not satisfied the objector(s) shall be directed to the building principal or his/her designee.
3. Within three (3) regular school days of receiving the objection, the principal or his/her designee shall contact the objector, provide him/her with a copy of these policies and procedures and arrange a meeting with him/her.
4. The principal or his/her designee shall explain to the objector the school's selection procedure, the selection criteria and the qualifications of those persons selecting the resources.
5. The principal or designee shall explain the selection rationale for the resource, its intended educational use, and any additional information regarding its use.
6. If the objector wishes the removal or restriction of the resource for anyone other than his/her child/ward, or the inclusion of an unavailable resource, the use of the “Request for Reevaluation of a Resource” form shall be explained and the objector invited to complete it in its entirety and return it to the principal or designee. If the objector fails to return the form, the objection shall be regarded as waived or withdrawn.
7. The objector shall complete a “Request for Reevaluation of a Resource” form for each resource to which he/she objects.
8. The building principal and other appropriate personnel (i.e. superintendent, faculty person involved, and media person) shall be informed.
9. Upon receipt of the completed and signed “Request for Reevaluation of a Resource” form, the principal or designee shall, within five (5) regular school days, refer it to the Building Committee for Reevaluation of the Resource.
A. Use of the questioned resource shall not be restricted during the reevaluation process.
B. The Building Committee for Reevaluation of Resources shall consist of: the principal; three (3) teacher’s familiar with the subject material; the building media person, and two (2) Community Representatives. The committee chairperson shall be determined by the committee.
C. The committee will:
1. Be notified of the objection.
2. Read, view, or listen to the questioned resource in its entirety.
3. Meet to consider the questioned resource and make a decision within 14 regular school days of receipt of the completed and signed “Request for Reevaluation of a Resource” form.
4. Follow all procedures outlined in the Guidelines for Reevaluation committee (page 6).
5. The principal informs the objector of the decision.
10. If the objector is not satisfied with the building level decision, he/she may submit their objection to the District 518 Committee for Reevaluation of a Resource.
III. Committee for Reevaluation
A. The District 518 Committee for Reevaluation of Resources shall be made up yearly, prior to September 22, of seven (7) members from School District 518.
B. Categories 1 through 7 listed below, shall each be two-year terms. The odd numbered categories shall be elected/selected in the fall of the odd numbered years; the even numbered categories shall be elected/selected in the fall of the even numbered years.
1. One member elected/selected from the Board of Education.
2. One building principal or assistant principal selected by the Superintendent.
3. One elementary teacher elected/selected by the Education Minnesota, Worthington.
4. One secondary teacher elected/selected by the Education Minnesota, Worthington.
5. One professional media person elected/selected by the K-12 media staff.
6. One student from Worthington High School elected/selected by the high school student council.
7. One District 518 resident appointed by the Superintendent.
C. When a vacancy occurs on the committee, the principal; (page 5, III, D) shall meet with the individual(s) responsible for the category in which the vacancy has occurred and obtain a replacement to complete the term.
D. At their organizational/in-service meeting, the seven (7) members shall elect a chair and a recording secretary.
E. Should any reevaluation committee member be involved with a questioned resource, a temporary replacement form his/her category shall be appointed by the chair of the Committee for Reevaluation of Resources. Once a decision on the questioned resource has been made by the reevaluation committee, the member shall return as a participating member of the committee.
IV. Guidelines for the Reevaluation Committee
A. Five (5) members of the Committee for Reevaluation of Resources shall constitute a quorum. A quorum is required at all meetings where a decision is to be made regarding a questioned resource.
B. All committee members are voting members.
C. The chair of the Committee for Reevaluation of Resources shall:
1. Notify committee members of the objection and set a meeting date.
2. Distribute a copy of the completed “Request for Reevaluation of a Resource” form to each committee member.
3. Distribute the appropriate Checklist for Reevaluation Committee to each committee member.
4. Obtain and arrange for reading/view/listening to the questioned resource by the committee.
5. Within twenty (20) regular school days of receiving the objection, hold a reevaluation committee meeting to discuss the questioned resource, hear testimony and reach a decision. If more time is necessary, the committee members want all others involved shall be notified in writing by the chair.
6. Invite the objector, professional media person or teacher and administrator involved in the committee meeting.
7. Invite appropriate persons to provide testimony during the meeting.
D. The Committee for Reevaluation of Resource shall:
1. Post the time and date of the open meeting.
2. Examine the questioned resource in its entirety.
3. Determine professional acceptance of the resource by reading critical reviews.
4. Weigh values and faults and form opinions on the resources as a whole rather than on passages or sections taken out of context.
5. Discuss the resource in the context of the educational program.
6. Hear testimony.
7. Make a decision by public vote.
8. Prepare a written report using the Report for the Reevaluation Committee form.
E. The Recording secretary shall:
1. Record attendance.
2. Take notes and complete the Report of the Reevaluation Committee form.
3. Obtain signatures from committee members on the Report of the reevaluation Committee form.
4. Be responsible for filing all required reports within five (5) regular school days.
5. Send copies of the completed Report of the Reevaluation Committee form to the objector, the building principal, the superintendent, and the professional media person or teacher involved.
V. Resolution
A. The written report, signed by all members of the committee who attended the meeting, accompanied by all materials used during the proceedings and a minority report, if one is made, shall be filed with the superintendent. This shall be the official record of the case.
B. In the case of a tie vote, the objection shall be denied.
C. The decision shall be binding for the individual school or as specified in the report by the reevaluation committee.
D. The decision shall be communicated to all appropriate employees.
E. A decision to sustain an objection shall not be interpreted as judgment of irresponsibility on the part of the professionals involved in the selection and/or use of the resource.
F. The committee’s decision may be appealed to the district 518 Board of Education.
G. The reevaluation cycle for a given resource will not occur more than once every three (3) school years.
Appendix C
Received by________________
Date Received________________
REQUEST FOR REEVALUATION OF A RESOURCE*
Initiated by: _________________________________________________ Date: __________________
Address: ______________________________________________ Telephone: ____________________
Representing:
Self________ Organization or Group ____________________________________________
(name)
Resource questioned:
Title: _______________________________________________________________________________
Author/Creator: ____________________________________________________________________________________
Publisher/Producer: _____________________________________ Copyright Date: ________________
Type of Resource: _____________________________________________________________________
Location: (specify) __________________________________________________________
(Prairie Elementary, Middle School, High School, Area Learning Center)
Please respond to the following questions. If sufficient space is not provided, please use additional paper.
1. Have you seen, read, or listened to this resource in its entirety? Yes ______ No ______
2. To what do you object? Please cite specific passages, pages, etc.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Please comment on the resource as a whole.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
4. What do you believe is the theme or purpose of this resource?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
5. For what age group do you recommend this resource?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
6. What resource do you recommend that would provide additional information on the subject?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
7. Additional comments:
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
(Signature)
__________________________________________________
(Date)
Please return this form to the building principal.
*Completion of this form is at the request of the Board of Education of Independent School District 518.
Appendix D
CHECKLIST FOR REEVALUATION COMMITTEE:
FICTION
Author ______________________________________________________________________________
Title ________________________________________________________________________________
A. Purpose:
1. What is the purpose, theme or message of the resource? How well does the author/ producer/composer accomplish this purpose?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. If the story is fantasy, is it the type that has imaginative appeal and is suitable for the user?
_____Yes _____No
If no, for what age group do you recommend?
____________________________________________________________________________________
3. Will the reading and/or viewing and/or listening to the resource result in more compassionate understanding of human beings?
_____Yes _____No
4. Does it offer an opportunity to better understand and appreciate the aspirations, achievements, and problems of various minority groups?
_____Yes _____No
B. Content:
1. Does a story about modern times give a realistic picture of life as it is now?
_____Yes _____No
2.Does the story avoid an oversimplified view of life, one which leaves the reader with the general feeling that life is sweet and rosy or ugly and meaningless?
_____Yes _____No
3. When factual information is part of the story, is it presented accurately?
_____Yes _____No
4. Is prejudicial appeal readily identifiable by the potential reader/viewer/listener?
_____Yes _____No
5. Are concepts presented appropriate to the ability and maturity of the potential user?
_____Yes _____No
6. Do characters speak in a language true to the period and section of the country in which they live?
_____Yes _____No
7. Does the resource offend in some special way the sensibilities of women or a minority group by the way it presents either the chief character or any of the minor characters?
_____Yes _____No
8. Is there preoccupation with sex, violence, cruelty, brutality, and aberrant behavior that would make this resource inappropriate?
_____Yes _____No
9. If there is use of offensive language, is it appropriate to the purpose of the text?
_____Yes _____No
10. Is the resource free from derisive names and epithets that would offend minority groups?
_____Yes _____No
11. Is the resource written well?
_____Yes _____No
12. Does the story give a broader understanding of human behavior without stressing differences of class, race, color, sex, religion, education, or philosophy in any adverse way?
_____Yes _____No
13. Does the resource make a significant contribution to the history of literature of ideas?
_____Yes _____No
14. Are the illustrations appropriate and in good taste?
_____Yes _____No
15. Are the illustrations realistic in relation to the story?
_____Yes _____No
Additional Comments:
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Appendix E
CHECKLIST FOR REEVALUATION COMMITTEE:
NONFICTION
Author ______________________________________________________________________________
Title ________________________________________________________________________________
A. Purpose:
1. What is the overall purpose of the resource?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
2. Is the purpose accomplished?
_____Yes _____No
B. Authenticity:
1. Is the author competent and qualified in the field?
_____Yes _____No
2. What is the reputation and significance of the author and publisher/producer in the field?
___________________________________________________________________________________
3. Is the resource up-to-date?
_____Yes _____No
____________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
4. Are information sources well documented?
_____Yes _____No
5. Are translations and retelling faithful to the original?
_____Yes _____No
C. Appropriateness:
1. Does the resource promote the educational goals and objectives of the curriculum?
_____Yes _____No
2. Is it appropriate to the level of instruction intended?
_____Yes _____No
3. Are the illustrations appropriate to the subject and age level?
_____Yes _____No
D. Content:
1. Is the content of this resource well presented by providing adequate scope, depth and continuity?
_____Yes _____No
2. Does this resource present information not otherwise available?
_____Yes _____No
E. Reviews:
1. Source of review ___________________________________________________________________
Favorably reviewed: __________________________________
Unfavorably reviewed: __________________________________