IIA: Instructional Resources/Instructional Materials

Code: IIA

Adopted: 12/08/10

Revised/Readopted: 9/10/14

IIA-AR(1): Instructional Materials/Program Adoption Procedure

IIA-AR(2): Challenge of Instructional Materials

The board is responsible for the selection of instructional materials.  The board delegates to district professional personnel the authority for the selection of instructional and library materials in accordance with the policy below.

Selection Objectives

When reviewing and selecting instructional materials, the objectives will be:

1. To select materials that will provide improvements in content, organization and teaching methods;
2. To ensure accurate and up-to-date content that includes new concepts, insights and facts;
3. To provide for sequential growth from level to level;
4. To provide a fair representation of the many religious, ethnic and cultural groups and their contributions to our American heritage;
5. There will be no discrimination or bias or prejudice toward sex, sexual orientation, race, religion, national origin, marital status, disability or age.

The district will establish a process and timeline for regularly determining and considering whether the textbooks and other instructional materials are available through online resources that enable students with print disabilities to receive textbooks and instructional materials free of charge.

Textbooks and other instructional materials adopted by the board shall be selected by the appropriate professional personnel in consultation with parents and citizens.  The input of staff and students will be encouraged.  Final decisions on purchase will rest with the superintendent or designee, subject to official adoption by the board in the case of textbooks and other instructional materials.

Selection Criteria

All materials selected will be consistent with the following principles:

1. Materials that enrich and support the curriculum, taking into consideration the varied interests, abilities and maturity levels of the students served;
2. Materials that stimulate growth in factual knowledge, literary appreciation, aesthetic values and ethical standards;
3. A background of information which will enable students to make intelligent judgments in their daily lives;
4. Materials on opposing sides of controversial issues, so that young citizens may develop, under guidance, the practice of analytical reading and thinking;
5. Materials representative of the many religious, ethnic and cultural groups, showing their contributions to our heritage.

The above principles will serve as a guide in the selection of all instructional and library materials.

To be in compliance with the requirements of federal law, the board directs the superintendent to distribute curriculum materials and instructional supplies to district schools in such a manner that ensures all schools receive equivalent materials.

Any resident or employee may challenge the appropriateness of the district’s instructional materials.  The district will provide a procedure to process such challenges.

END OF POLICY

Legal Reference(s):

No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, 20 U.S.C. §§ 6311-6322 (2006).

Cross Reference(s):

INB - Studying Controversial Issues

KH - Public Gifts to the District

KL - Public Complaints