SELECTION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

 

I.         Responsibility for Selection of Instructional Materials

 

          A.  The Board of Directors is legally responsible for all matters relating to the operation of the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn School District.

 

          B.  The responsibility for the selection of instructional materials is delegated to the professionally trained and certificated staff employee by the school system.  For the purpose of this rule the term “instructional materials” includes printed and audiovisual materials (not equipment), whether considered text materials or media center materials (media).

 

          C.  While selection of materials involves many people (principals, teachers, students, supervisors, community persons and media specialists), the responsibility for coordinating the selection of most instructional materials and making the recommendation for purchase rests with certificated media personnel.  For the purpose of this rule the term “media specialist” includes librarians, school media specialists or other appropriately certificated persons responsible for selection of media.

 

          D.  Responsibility for coordinating the selection of text materials for distribution to classes will rest with the appropriate department chairperson or with the textbook evaluation committee.  For the purpose of this rule the term “text materials” includes textbooks and other print and non-print material provided in multiple copies for use of a total class or a major segment of such a class.

 

II.        Material selected for use in the libraries and classrooms shall meet the following guidelines:

          A.  Religion - Material shall represent all major religions in a factual, unbiased manner.  The primary source material which advocates rather than informs, or is designed to sway reader judgment regarding religion shall not be included in the school libraries or classrooms.

 

          B.  Racism - Material shall present a diversity of race, custom, culture, and belief as a positive aspect of our nation’s heritage and give candid treatment to unresolved intercultural problems in the Untied States, including those which involve prejudice, discrimination, and the undesirable consequences of withholding rights, freedom, or respect from any individual.

 

          C.  Sexism - Material shall reflect a sensitivity to the needs, rights, traits and aspirations of men and women without preference or bias.

 

          D.  Age - Material shall recognize the diverse contributions of various age groups and portray the continuing contributions of maturing members of society.

 

          E.   Ideology - Material shall present basic primary and factual information on any ideology or philosophy of government which exerts or has exerted a strong force,  either favorably or unfavorably, over any civilization or society, past or present.  This material shall not be selected with the intention of swaying a reader’s judgment in any way and shall be related to the maturity level of the intended audience.

 

1. Profanity and Sex - Material shall be subjected to a test of literary merit and reality by the media specialists and teachers, who will take into consideration their reading public and community standards of morality.

 

In all cases, the selection decision should be made on the basis of whether or not the material presents an accurate representation of society and culture, whether or not the circumstances depicted are realistically portrayed, or whether or not the material has literary or social value.

 

These guidelines shall not be construed in such a manner as to preclude materials which accurately represent the customs, manners, culture, modes, or society of a different time or a different place.

 

III.       Procedure for Selection

 

          A.  Material purchased for school libraries shall be recommended for purchase by the professional personnel of the library, in consultation with administrative staff, instructional staff, and students.  All material recommended for purchase shall be approved by the appropriate building administrator.

 

          1.  All materials selected shall support stated objectives of school library service.

               a.   To acquire materials and provide service consistent with the demands of the curriculum;

               b.   To develop in students skills and resourcefulness in the use of libraries and learning resources;

               c.   To effectively guide and counsel students in the selection and use of materials and libraries;

               d.   To foster in students a wide range of significant interests;

               e.   To provide opportunities for aesthetic experiences and development of appreciation of the fine arts;

               f.   To provide materials to motivate students to examine their own attitudes and behaviors and to comprehend their own duties and responsibilities as citizens in a pluralistic democracy:

               g.   To encourage life-long education through the use of the library;

               h.   To work cooperatively and constructively with the instructional and administrative staff in the school.

 

          2.  All materials selected shall be consistent with stated principles of selection.  These principles are:

               a.   To select material, within established standards, which will meet needs and find use;

               b.   To consider the educational characteristics of the school community in the selection of materials within a given category:

               c.   To present the sexual, racial, religious, and ethnic groups in our community and our society in such a way as to build positive images, with mutual understanding and respect:

                    1.  Portray people, both men and women, adults and children, whatever their ethnic, religious,or social class identity, as human and recognizable, displaying a familiar range of emotions, both negative and positive,

                    2.  Place no constraints on individual aspirations and opportunity,

                    3.  Give comprehensive, accurate, and balanced representation to minority groups and women - in art and science, history and literature, and in all other fields of life and culture,

                    4.  Provide abundant recognition of minority groups and women by showing them frequently in positions of leadership and centrality.

               d.   To intelligently, quickly, and effectively anticipate and meet needs through awareness of subjects of local, national, and international interest and significance.

               e.   To strive for impartiality in all aspects of the selection process.

 

          3.  All material selection shall meet stated specific selection criteria.  These criteria are:

               a.   Authority - Author’s qualification - his/her education, the professional organizations with which he/she is identified, his/her experience, previously published works;

               b.   Scope of the material;

               c.   Reliability

                    1.  Accuracy

a.  Expose and discredit “myths” which have misrepresented minority groups and women or have served to inaccurately explain any aspect of social development in the United States,

b.   Portray historical “heroes” on the basis of historical accuracy and/or openly admitted value judgments,

c.   Correct historical interpretations of the past which did not explicitly and thoroughly discuss the extent to which United States growth and development was inconsistent with values considered by many to be basic to the American political system.

 

                    2.  Recency

                    a.   Present content which is consistent with the finding of recent and authoritative research concerning minority groups, women, and the elderly in our culture,

                    b.   Areas in which recent and current developments are important shall be represented by up-to-date material.

               d.   Treatment of Material;

                    1.  Purpose,

                    2.  Evidence of theoretical, sexual, racial, religious, age, or ethnic bias or prejudice,                

                    a.   Does not describe the same behavior or characteristics differently depending on the sex or other group identification of the person concerned,

                    b.   Does not assign stereotyped roles to men and women,

                    c.   Does not assign stereotyped roles to elderly persons,

                    d.   Does not omit reference to participation by women or minorities in historical events or to the impact of these events upon them,

                    e.   Does not give a condescending estimate of a foreign people when discussing other nations,

                    f.   Does not give a condescending estimate of the poor or more recently arrived immigrant groups in the U.S.,

                    g.   Does not treat the statement or act of an individual as representative of the  entire group to which he/she belongs,

 

               3.  Level - scholarly, technical, general

         

               e.   Language;

                    1.  Vocabulary

                    a.   Does not indicate bias by the use of words which may result in negative value judgments about groups of people,

                    b.   Does not use “man” or similar limiting word usages in generalizations or ambiguities which may cause women to feel excluded or dehumanized.

                    2.  Sentence length, structure

                    3.  Use of language in an aesthetic manner while presenting information

 

               f.   Subject interest

 

               g.   Format:

               1.  Book

                    a.   Adequate and accurate index

                    b.   Paper of good quality and color

                    c.   Print adequate and well spaced

                    d.   Adequate margins

                    e.   Firmly bound

                    f.   Cost

               2.  Non-book

                    a.   Flexibility, adaptability,

                    b.   Curricular orientation or of significant interest to students,

                    c.   Appropriate for audience,

                    d.   Accurate authoritative presentation,

                    e.   Good production qualities (fidelity, aesthetically adequate),

                    f.   Durability,

                    g.   Cost

               3.  Illustrations of book and non-book materials should:

                    a.   Depict instances of fully integrated (including men and women) grouping and settings to indicate equal status and non-segregated social relationships,

                    b.   Make clearly apparent the identity of minority individuals,

                    c.   Contain pertinent and effective illustrations.

 

               h.   Special features;

                    1.  Bibliographies,

                    2.  Experiments, projects,

                    3.  Glossary,

                    4.  Charts, maps, etc.

 

               i.    Potential use;

                    1.  Will it meet the requirement of reference work?

                    2.  Will it help students with personal problems and adjustments?

                    3.  Will it serve as a source of information for teachers and librarians?

                    4.  Does it offer understanding of cultures other than the student’s own and is it free of racial, religious, ethnic, and sexual stereotypes?

                    5.  Will it expand students’ sphere of understanding and help them to understand the ideas and beliefs of others?

                    6.  Will it help students and teachers keep abreast of and understand current events?

                    7.  Will it foster and develop hobbies and special interests?

                    8.  Will it help develop aesthetic tastes and appreciation?

                    9.  Will it serve the needs of students with special problems?

                    10. Does it have inspirational value?

 

          4.  Gifts of library or instructional material may be accepted only if the gift meets existing criteria for library and instructional materials.  The acceptance and placement of such gift shall  be their prerogative of appropriate administrative personnel.

 

          5.  In order to always provide a current, highly usable collection of materials in every library, librarians shall provide for constant and continuing renewal of the collection, not only by the addition of up-to-date materials, but by the judicious elimination of materials which no longer meet needs or find use.

 

The process of weeding will be done according to established and accepted standards for determining the relevance and value of materials in a given context.

 

          B.  Text Material

         

          1.  Text materials committees shall be appointed at the time that text adoption areas are determined. Appropriate subject area, instructional level, and media personnel shall be included in each committee.

 

1. Criteria for text materials consistent with the general criteria for materials selection noted in Section II shall be developed by the text materials evaluation committee.

         

          3.  The committee shall present its recommendation(s) to the superintendent or other designated administrator.

              

          4.  The superintendent or the superintendent’s designee and the text materials committee shall present the recommendation(s) to the Board.

 

 

Adopted:  November 11, 1985            

 

Reviewed:  March 11, 1996
March 20, 2000                 
November 21, 2005
May 16, 2011
June 13, 2016

 

Revised: Jan. 22, 2013

                                                     

INSTRUCTIONS TO THE RECONSIDERATION COMMITTEE
 
The policy of this school district related to selection of learning materials states that any member of the school district community may formally challenge instructional materials used in the district's education program.  This policy allows those persons in the school and the community who are not directly involved in the selection of materials to make their own opinions known.  The task of the reconsideration committee is to provide an open forum for discussion of challenged materials and to make an informed recommendation on the challenge.  The meetings of the committee may be subject to the open meetings law.
 
The most critical component of the reconsideration process is the establishment and maintenance of the committee's credibility in the community.  For this purpose, the committee is composed of community members.  The community should not, therefore, infer that the committee is biased or is obligated to uphold prior professional decisions.  For this same reason, a community member will be selected to chair the committee.
 
The reconsideration process, the task of this committee, is just one part of the selection continuum.  Material is purchased to meet a need.  It is reviewed and examined, if possible, prior to purchase.  It is periodically re-evaluated through updating, discarding, or re-examination.  The committee must be ready to acknowledge that an error in selection may have been made despite this process.  Librarians and school employees regularly read great numbers of reviews in the selection process, and occasional errors are possible.
 
In reconsidering challenged materials, the role of the committee, and particularly the chairperson, is to produce a climate for agreement.  The committee should begin by finding items of agreement, keeping in mind that the larger the group participating, the greater the amount of information available and, therefore, the greater the number of possible approaches to the problem.
 
If the complainant chooses, the complainant may make an oral presentation to the committee to expand and elaborate on the complaint.  The committee will listen to the complainant, to those with special knowledge, and any other interested persons.  In these discussions, the committee should be aware of relevant social pressures which are affecting the situation.  Individuals who may try to dominate or impose a decision must not be allowed to do so.  Minority viewpoints expressed by groups or individuals must be heard, and observers must be made to feel welcome.  It is important that the committee create a calm, nonvolatile environment in which to deal with a potentially volatile situation.  To this end, the complainant will be kept informed of the progress of the complaint.
 
The committee will listen to the views of all interested persons before making recommendations.  In deliberating its recommendation, the committee should remember that the school system must be responsive to the needs, tastes, and opinions of the community it serves.  Therefore, the committee must distinguish between broad community sentiment and attempts to impose personal standards.  The deliberations should concentrate on the appropriateness of the material.  The question to be answered by the committee is, "Is the material appropriate for its designated audience at this time?"
 
The committee's final recommendation will be (1) to remove the challenged material from the total school environment, (2) to take no removal action, or (3) to agree on a limitation of the educational use of the materials.
 
The committee chairperson will instruct the secretary to convey the committee's recommendation to the office of the superintendent.  The recommendation should detail the rationale on which it was based.  A letter will be sent to the complainant outlining the outcome.

See attachement.

See attachment.

RECONSIDERATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS REGULATION
 
A.    A member of the school district community may raise an objection to instructional materials used in the school district's education program despite the fact that the individuals selecting such material were duly qualified to make the selection and followed the proper procedure and observed the criteria for selecting such material.
 
        1.       The school official or employee receiving a complaint regarding instructional materials will try to resolve the issue informally.  The materials generally will remain in use pending the outcome of the reconsideration procedure.
 
                  a.       The school official or employee initially receiving a complaint will explain to the individual the board's selection procedure, criteria to be met by the instructional materials, and qualifications of those persons selecting the material.
                  b.       The school official or employee initially receiving a complaint will explain to the individual the role of the objected material in the education program, its intended educational purpose, and additional information regarding its use.  In the alternative, the employee may refer the individual to the teacher-librarian who can identify and explain the use of the material.
 
        2.       The employee receiving the initial complaint will advise the building principal of the initial contact no later than the end of the school day following the discussion with the individual, whether or not the individual has been satisfied by the initial contact.  A written record of the contact is maintained by the principal in charge of the attendance center.  Each building principal shall inform employees of their obligation to report complaints.
 
        3.       In the event the individual making an objection to instructional materials is not satisfied with the initial explanation, the individual is referred to the principal or to the teacher-librarian of the attendance center.  If, after consultation with the principal or teacher-librarian, the individual desires to file a formal complaint, the principal or teacher-librarian will assist in filling out a Reconsideration Request Form in full and filing it with the superintendent.
 
B.     Request for Reconsideration
 
        1.       A member of the school district community may formally challenge instructional materials on the basis of appropriateness used in the school district's education program.  This procedure is for the purpose of considering the opinions of those persons in the school district and the community who are not directly involved in the selection process.
       
        2.       Each attendance center and the school district's central administrative office will keep on hand and make available Reconsideration Request Forms.  Formal objections to instructional materials must be made on this form.
 
        3.        The individual will state the specific reason the instructional material is being challenged.  The Reconsideration Request Form is signed by the individual and filed with the superintendent. 
 
        4.       The superintendent will promptly file the objection with the reconsideration committee for re-evaluation.
 
        5.       Generally, access to challenged instructional material will not be restricted during the reconsideration process.  However, in unusual circumstances, the instructional material may be removed temporarily by following the provisions of Section B.6.d. of this rule.
 
        6.       The Reconsideration Committee
                  a.       The reconsideration committee is made up of eight members.
                              (1)    One licensed employee designated annually, as needed, by the superintendent.
 (2)    One teacher-librarian designated annually by the superintendent.
                              (3)    One member of the administrative team designated annually by the superintendent.
                              (4)    Three members of the community appointed annually, as needed, by the board.
                              (5)    Two high school students, selected annually by the high school principal.
 
                  b.       The committee will select their chairperson and secretary.
 
                  c.       The committee will meet at the request of the superintendent.
 
                  d.       Special meetings may be called by the board to consider temporary removal of materials in unusual circumstances.  A recommendation for temporary removal will require a two-thirds vote of the committee.
 
                  e.       Notice of committee meetings is made public through appropriate publications and other communications methods.
 
                  f.        The committee will receive the completed Reconsideration Request Form from the superintendent.
 
                  g.       The committee will determine its agenda for the first meeting which may include the following:
                            (1)    Distribution of copies of the completed Reconsideration Request Form.
                            (2)    An opportunity for the individual or a group spokesperson to talk about or expand on the Reconsideration Request Form.
                            (3)    Distribution of reputable, professionally prepared reviews of the challenged instructional material if available.
                            (4)    Distribution of copies of the challenged instructional material as available.
 
                  h.       The committee may review the selection process for the challenged instructional material and may, to its satisfaction, determine that the challenge is without merit and dismiss the challenge.  The committee will notify the individual and the superintendent of its action.
 
                  i.        At a subsequent meeting, if held, interested persons, including the individual filing the challenge, may have the opportunity to share their views.  The committee may request that individuals with special knowledge be present to give information to the committe.                       

 
                  j.        The individual filing the challenge is kept informed by the reconsideration committee secretary on the status of the Reconsideration Request Form throughout the reconsideration process.  The individual filing the challenge and known interested parties is given appropriate notice of meetings.
 
                  k.       At the second or a subsequent meeting the committee will make its final recommendation.  The committee's final recommendation may be to take no removal action, to remove the challenged material from the school environment, or to limit the educational use of the challenged material.  The sole criterion for the final recommendation is the appropriateness of the material for its intended educational use.  The written final recommendation and its justification are forwarded to the board, the individual and the appropriate attendance centers.  The superintendent my also make a recommendation but if so, it should be independent from the committee’s.
 
                            Following the superintendent’s decision with respect to the committee's recommendation, the individual or the chairperson of the reconsideration committee may appeal the decision to the board for review.  Such appeal must be presented to the superintendent in writing within five days following the announcement of the superintendent's decision.  The board will promptly determine whether to hear the appeal. 
 
                  l.        A recommendation to sustain a challenge will not be interpreted as a judgment of irresponsibility on the part of the individuals involved in the original selection or use of the material.
 
                  m.      Requests to reconsider materials which have previously been reconsidered by the committee must receive approval of two-thirds of the committee members before the materials will again be reconsidered. 
 
                  n.       If necessary or appropriate in the judgment of the committee, the committee may appoint a subcommittee of members or nonmembers to consolidate challenges and to make recommendations to the full committee.  The composition of this subcommittee will approximate the representation of the full committee.
 
                  o.       Committee members directly associated with the selection, use, or challenger of the challenged material are excused from the committee during the deliberation of the challenged instructional materials.  The superintendent may appoint a temporary replacement for the excused committee member, but the replacement must be of the same general qualifications as the member excused.
 
p.        Persons dissatisfied with the decision of the board may appeal to the Iowa Board of Education pursuant to state law.
 
 
 

See attachment.

See attachment.

INTERNET - APPROPRIATE USE REGULATION
 
I.         Responsibility for Internet Appropriate Use.
 
          A.  The authority for appropriate use of electronic Internet resources is delegated to the licensed employees.  For the purpose of this policy, Internet is defined as:
 
          A collection of more than 20,000 interconnected computer networks involving an estimated 1.5 million computers and 25 million users around the world.  It is a collaboration of private, public, educational, governmental and industrial sponsored networks whose operators cooperate to maintain the network infrastructure.
 
          B.  Instruction in the proper use of the Internet system will be available to employees who will then provide similar instruction to their students.
 
          C.  Employees are expected to practice appropriate use of the Internet, and violations may result in discipline up to, and including, discharge.
 
II.        Internet Access.
 
          A.  Access to the Internet is available to teachers and students as a source of information and a vehicle of communication.
 
          B.  Students will be able to access the Internet through their teachers.  Individual student accounts and electronic mail addresses will not be issued to students at this time.
 
          1.  Making Internet access available to students carries with it the potential that some students might encounter information that may not be appropriate for students.  However, on a global network, it is impossible to control all materials.  Because information on the Internet appears, disappears and changes, it is not possible to predict or control what students may locate.
 
          2.  It is a goal to allow teachers and students access to the rich opportunities on the Internet, while we protect the rights of students and parents who choose not to risk exposure to questionable material.
 
          3.  The smooth operation of the network relies upon the proper conduct of the end users who must adhere to strict guidelines which require efficient, ethical and legal utilization of network resources.
 
          4.  To reduce unnecessary system traffic, users may use real-time conference features such as talk/chat/Internet relay chat only as approved by the supervising teacher.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
          5.  Transmission of material, information or software in violation of any board policy or regulation is prohibited.
 
          6  .System users will perform a virus check on downloaded files to avoid spreading computer viruses.
 
          7.  The school district makes no guarantees as to the accuracy of information received on the Internet.
 
 
 
III.       Permission to Use Internet - Annually, parents shall grant permission for their student to use the Internet using the prescribed form.
 
 
IV.       Student Use of Internet.
 
          A.  Equal Opportunity - The Internet shall be available to all students within the school district through teacher access.  The amount of time available for each student may be limited by the number of available terminals and the demands for each terminal.
 
          B.  On-line Etiquette.
 
          1.  The use of the network is a privilege and may be taken away for violation of board policy or regulations.  As a user of the Internet, students may be allowed access to other networks.  Each network may have its own set of policies and procedures.  It is the user’s responsibility to abide by the policies and procedures of these other networks.
 
          2.  Students should adhere to on-line protocol:
          a.  Respect all copyright and license agreements.
          b.  Cite all quotes, references and sources.
          c.  Remain on the system long enough to get needed information, then exit the system.
          d.  Apply the same privacy, ethical and educational considerations utilized in other forms of communication.
 
          3.  Student access for electronic mail will be through the supervising teacher’s account.  Students should adhere to the following guidelines:
          a.  Others may be able to read or access the mail so private messages should not be sent.
          b.  Delete unwanted messages immediately.
          c.  Use of objectionable language is prohibited.
          d.  Always sign messages.
          e.  Always acknowledge receipt of a document or file.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
          C.  Restricted Material - Students shall not intentionally access or download any text file or picture or engage in any conference that includes material which is obscene, libelous, indecent, vulgar, profane or lewd; advertises any product or service not permitted to minors by law; constitutes insulting or fighting words, the very expression of which injures or harasses others; or presents a clear and present likelihood that, either because of its content or the manner of distribution, it will cause a material and substantial disruption of the proper and orderly operation and discipline of the school or school activities, will cause the commission of unlawful acts or the violation of lawful school regulations.
 
          D.  Unauthorized Costs - If a student gains access to any service via the Internet which has a cost involved or if a student incurs other types of costs, the student accessing such a service will be responsible for those costs.
 
 
 
V.       Student Violations--Consequences and Notifications.
 
          Students who access restricted items on the Internet shall be subject to the appropriate action described in board policy or regulations or the following consequences:
 
          1.  First Violation - A verbal and written “Warning” notice will be issued to the student.  The student may lose Internet access for a period of up to ten (10) school days at the discretion of the supervising teacher.  A copy of the notice will be mailed to the student’s parent and a copy provided to the building principal.
 
2.  Second Violation - A verbal and written “Second Violation” notice will be issued to the student.  A copy of the notice will be sent to the student’s parent and a copy provided to the building principal.  The student shall forfeit all Internet privileges for a minimum period of twenty (20) school days.                 .
 
3.  Third  Violation - A verbal and written “Third Violation” notice will be issued to the student.  A copy of the notice will be sent to the student’s parent and a copy provided to the building principal.  The student shall forfeit all Internet privileges for the balance of the school year.
 
 
 

ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS REGARDING HOME PAGES ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB

 

 

The Board recognizes that many K-12 school districts, colleges and universities, technical schools and businesses have home pages on the World Wide Web.  Home pages allow an international audience to visit the institution or business electronically.  Therefore, the construction and ongoing maintenance of a home page that represents the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn School District is to be viewed as a public information vehicle and the following guidelines should be applied:

 

               1.  A building committee of interested individuals should be formed to develop a school’s home page.  The committee could include but not necessarily be limited to: students, teachers, parents, representatives from the library media staff, computer education staff, technology education staff, and the administrative staff.

 

               2.  A school’s initial home page product must be demonstrated to the district Quality Support Council and approved by the Curriculum and Technology Coordinators prior to any public release on the World Wide Web.

 

               3.  Each building should develop a written procedure for making future changes to their home page.  The written procedure should include the composition of the building level committee responsible for monitoring and changing the home page, as well as a clear delineation of the approval process for changes.

 

               4.  Caution:  During construction of a home page, careful thought and attention must be given to copyright and privacy issues.  For example:

              

*  Student photographs of individuals may have reserved copyrights.

*  Student directory information may not be published if parents have requested that it be withheld. 

*  Staff members also have the right to request that their directory information be withheld.

 

               5.  Only the home pages created under the auspices of these administrative regulations will be official representations of the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn School District.

 

 

Adopted:   November 11, 1997             

 

Reviewed: March 11, 1996               
March 20, 2000
November 21, 2005
May 16, 2011
June 13, 2016