Selection Policies

• Learning Resources Selection
• Procedures for Selection of Learning Resources
• Reconsideration of Learning Resources

POLICY STATEMENT:
Learning Resources Selection

Learning resources* are selected by the school district to implement, enrich, and support the educational program for District 204 students. Materials must serve both the breadth of the curriculum and the needs and interests of the students. It is the obligation of 204 to provide for a wide range of abilities and to respect the diversity of many differing points of view. To this end, principles must be placed above personal opinion and reason above prejudice in the selection of learning resources of the highest quality and appropriateness.

*For the purposes of this selection policy, the term "learning resources" will refer to any material (whether acquired or locally produced) with instructional content or function that is used for teaching/learning purposes. Learning resources include but are not limited to: textbooks, library books, other books, supplementary reading and informational materials, charts, dioramas, filmstrips, flash cards, games, globes, kits, maps, pictures, models, realia, slides, audio recordings, transparencies, video/recordings, computer software, agencies and organizations, and community resource people.

The selection of learning resources is delegated to appropriate certified personnel who will discharge this obligation consistent with the following standards:

A. Learning resources will be purposely selected to support the educational, emotional and social development of the students consistent with the adopted curriculum.

B. Learning resources will objectively present the concerns and build upon the contributions,-- current and historical, --of both sexes and members of various religious, ethnic and cultural groups.

C. Learning resources will be appropriate for the subject area, age, ability level and learning style of the students for whom the materials are selected.

D. Learning resources will be provided to promote lifelong learning and active citizenship.

F. Learning resources will be selected because of their literary and/or artistic value.

F. Learning resources will clarify historical and contemporary forces by presenting and analyzing intergroup tension and conflict objectively, placing emphasis on recognizing and understanding social and economic problems.

G. Learning resources will be selected for their strengths rather than rejected for their weaknesses.

H. Learning resources may present controversial issues when related to the subject matter of a specific curricular field at a given grade level. Reasonable effort will be made to effect a balance of biases, divergent points of view, and opportunity for exploration of conflicting viewpoints.

I. Learning resources will be obtained and utilized in compliance with current copyright law, a copy of which is appended and made a part of this policy. (see appendix p. 1.1-1.8)

J. The presence of any learning resource does not indicate endorsement of its content.

Adopted: 12-16-91 District 204 6140

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Procedures for Selection of Learning Resources

The review of instructional resources takes place at three levels: district, building and classroom.

1. In selecting learning resources, all certified staff members are encouraged to use personal knowledge and evaluate resources and curriculum needs using professionally accepted selection aids. (see appendix p. 1.9)

2. Gift materials will be judged by the criteria outlined and will be accepted or rejected by those criteria.

3. Selection is an ongoing process which should include the removal of learning resources which no longer meet established selection criteria and the replacement of lost and worn resources still of educational value.

4. Learning resources* that are not the property of the school district -- which are brought in for use with students -- must meet established selection criteria and be approved by a building administrator/department chair (with the exception of AVID films**).

5. The library media specialist will work cooperatively with staff members to interpret and guide the application of this policy in making selections for the LMC; however, final responsibility for selection of materials for the Library Media Center lies with the LMC director and building principal.

*Learning resources include but are not limited to: textbooks, library books, other books, supplementary reading and informational materials, charts, dioramas, filmstrips, flash cards, games, globes, models, maps, pictures, realia, slides, audio recordings, transparencies, video/recordings, computer software, agencies and organizations, and community resource people.

**AVID films are intended for classroom use, thus go through a selection process by a committee of K-12 teachers at the county level. However, AVID films must still be selected for appropriateness using established district selection criteria.

Adopted: 12-16-91 District 204 6140

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POLICY STATEMENT:
Reconsideration of Learning Resources

Any inquiry, question or concern about any learning resource, whether received in personal conversation, by letter, or by telephone, will be directed to the appropriate teacher, who will inform the building principal.

If the matter is not resolved informally, the individual or group should be supplied with a packet consisting of the learning resources selection criteria and the Request For Reconsideration of Learning Resources Form (see appendix p.1.10-1.11) which will be completed and returned to the principal who will forward it to the Assistant Superintendent of Elementary or Secondary Education.

If the formal complaint and appropriate reconsideration forms have not been received within two weeks, it will be presumed that no further action will be necessary.

Upon receipt of the written complaint, the designated Assistant Superintendent will, if appropriate, remove the material in question or inform the Board who will then appoint a committee to investigate the complaint. The committee may include administrators, certified staff members and citizens chose by the Board of Education and chaired by the Assistant Superintendent of Elementary or Secondary Education.

The committee will review the challenged material and judge whether it meets the selection criteria outlined in the district's selection policy.

No questioned materials will be removed from the school pending a final decision. Pending the outcome of the request for reconsideration, however, access to questioned materials can be denied to the child (or children) of the parents making the complaint, if they so desire.

Within four weeks of its formation, the committee will make a written recommendation to the Superintendent.

The board will act on the recommendation of the Superintendent.

Adopted: District 204 6141

Revised: 3-3-75 | 5-16-78 | 7-13-87 | 12-16-91

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