Adopted:

Revised:

361 Rule (2)

School District of Prairie Farm

School Board Policy Guidelines for the Selection of Classroom Instructional Materials

1. Responsibility

a. The Board is responsible for authorizing the purchase of classroom instructional

materials

b. Classroom instructional materials recommended to the Board by the District

Administrator shall be selected by teachers and administrators from appropriate

grade levels or subject areas.

c. Classroom instructional material selection shall be made according to curricular

and instructional needs identified through the program review of the content area.

d. A list of classroom instructional materials, which has been approved or amended

by the Board, shall be kept on file in the administration office.

e. All teachers involved in the delivery of the content area for which materials are

being selected shall have an opportunity to provide input.

2. Criteria for Selection

a. When selecting classroom instructional materials, consideration shall be given to:

(1) The educational goals of the district

(2) Individual student learning styles

(3) Teaching methods

(4) Curricular needs

(5) Individual needs of the students and faculty

b. Classroom instructional materials selected shall meet the following standards:

The materials should

(1) Contribute to the objectives of the instructional program.

(2) Be appropriate to the level of the user.

(3) Be relevant to today's society.

(4) Represent artistic, historic and literary qualities.

(5) Reflect problems, aspirations, attitudes and ideas of society.

(6) Represent differing viewpoints on controversial subjects.

(7) Provide a stimulus to creativity.

c. The following resources may be used in the selection process:

(1) Instructional materials exhibits at conventions and conferences

(2) Sample materials provided by sales representatives

(3) Catalogs

(4) Professional journals

(5) Teachers from other districts

(6) Publishing house representatives

(7) Pilot programs

(8) Consultants

d. Anticipate controversy when dealing with controversial topics such as:

(1) Religious views

(2) Political views

(3) Treatment of minorities

(4) Gender stereotyping

(5) Problems of contemporary society, such as violence, drugs, alcohol and sex

(6) Profanity and obscenity

e. When selecting materials that deal with these topics, instructors and

administrators involved should:

(1) Ensure the materials help achieve established objectives and meet established

criteria.

(2) Take community values and morals into consideration during the selection

process.

(3) Emphasize the educational value of the work in the terms of achieving

program objectives.

(4) Ensure the materials do not promote a cause, further a movement, or favor a

viewpoint.

(5) Ensure the materials offer the widest variety of views and opinions, including

unorthodox and controversial ideas.

CROSS REFERENCE:. 361- Selection of Classroom Instructional and Library Media Center Materials