Instructional+Materials+and+Media+Centers+Policy

IFBC-R __Instructional Materials and Media Centers__ IFBC-R

I. __Selection Procedures and Guidelines__

Suitability of presentation and subject matter will be considered with respect to grades and interest levels, social and emotional maturity of students, and the curriculum and personal interests of students and teachers. Gifts will be subjected to the same standards of selection as purchases. (See Article XXIV of WLEA Master Agreement.)

A. Religion - An unbiased selection will be made of available material about religions. B. Science - Medical and scientific knowledge will be made available without any biased selection of facts. C. Ideologies - The school will make available basic factual information on the level of its students, on any ideology or philosophy which exerts a strong force, either favorable or unfavorable, in government, current events, politics, education or any other phase of life. D. Sex and Profanity - Materials accenting sex will be subjected to the stern test of literary merit and reality by the staff, who shall take into consideration particularly the social and emotional maturity of the students. E. Stereotypes - Materials will be selected which present an unbiased image and viewpoint, avoiding stereotypes, i.e., race, gender or sex, occupation, age or ethnic groups. II. Films At the elementary level, video tapes/films with a PG rating will require approval from the principal’s office and a parental permission slip. At the middle school level, video tapes/films with a PG-13 rating will require approval from the principal’s office and a parental permission slip. (See IFBC-R-4 for sample letter.)

IFBC-R __Instructional Materials and Media Centers__  IFBC-R-2 At the high school level, R-rated films/video tapes will require approval from the principal’s office and parental permission slips. III. Procedure for Challenged Materials Since opinion regarding materials may differ in a democratic society, the following procedures will be observed in recognizing those differences. A. Parents or students who wish to register a complaint regarding the selection or use of specific instructional materials will be directed to the building principal. The principal will initiate the following steps. 1. When the complaint is first received, appropriate personnel will meet informally with the complainant to hear the specific objections and to explain how and why the challenged material was selected. Appropriate personnel will include the principal and staff member selecting or using the material. 2. If the complainant still wishes to challenge the material, he/she will complete the form entitled “Citizen’s. Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Material” (see //IFBC-R-5)// and return the form to the building principal within 10 working days of the informal meeting. 3. Upon receipt of the written complaint, the building principal will send copies of the completed form, within five working days, to the teacher and/or media specialist involved, and the K-12 director of curriculum, who will notify the superintendent of the formal complaint. 4. The K-12 director of curriculum will seek to resolve the complaint. Such action may involve, but not be limited to, the following procedures, which will be initiated within five working days upon his/her receipt of the written complaint.

a Meeting with involved building personnel.

IFIBC-R __Instructional Materials and Media Centers__ IFBC-R-3 b. Meeting with parties initiating the complaint and involved building personnel. c. Initiation of a committee which will, if necessary, include a school administrator and teachers. Citizens of the school community may be called by the district for consultation. 5. The decision of the K-12 director of curriculum may be appealed to the assistant superintendent of schools and, if not satisfactorily resolved, to the superintendent. 6. If the problem cannot be resolved at the superintendent’s level, it may be referred to the board.

7/1/93

]FBC-R __Instructional Materials and Media Centers__ IFBC-R-4 (Sample Letter) (Date)

Dear Parent or Guardian, In Language Arts class, we have read the book, //Crash Dive.// This deals with a German U-boat breaking allied defenses in Portsmouth, England. We are planning on showing the students “The Hunt for Red October” on Thursday and Friday, May 2nd and 3rd. This movie is rated PG-13. Therefore, you have the opportunity to exclude your child from seeing this film. If you do not wish your child to see this movie, please fill out the bottom of this sheet and return it to me-with your child by tomorrow, May 2, 1991. Sincerely,

(Signed - Teacher) I do not wish my child to see the movie “The Hunt for Red October.”

Name of Student: ___________________________________________ Signature of Parent or Guardian: ______________________________ Date:_____________________