I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to provide direction for selection of textbooks and instructional materials.
II. GENERAL STATEMENT
The School Board requires that instructional materials be selected/produced in support of the district mission (Policy 104 – School District Mission Statement.
The School Board delegates the responsibility for developing and managing a process for selection/production of instructional materials to the Superintendent and his/her designees.
III. DEFINITION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
In general, instructional materials are defined as those items which are read, listened to, viewed, observed, manipulated, or experienced by students as part of the instructional process. They may be consumable or non-consumable and may vary greatly in the kind of student response they generate.
IV. PURPOSES FOR SELECTION AND PRODUCTION OF MATERIALS
In reviewing textbooks and instructional materials during the selection process, the professional staff will select materials which:
A. support the goals and objectives of the education programs;
B. consider the needs, age, and maturity of students;
C. foster recognition, respect or understanding of cultural diversity and varied opinion;
D. fit within the constraints of the school district budget;
E. are in the English language unless otherwise necessary to support goals and objectives of an educational program or as appropriate to support and instruct English Learners pursuant to Minn. Stat. §124D.58 to §124D.65;
F. permit grade level instruction for students to read and study America’s founding documents, including documents that contributed to the foundation or maintenance of America’s representative form of limited government, the Bill of Rights, our free-market economic system, and patriotism as required by Minn. Stat. §120B.235; and
G. do not censor or restrain instruction in American or Minnesota state history or heritage based on religious references in original source documents, writings, speeches, proclamations, or records as required by Minn. Stat. §120B.235.
V. RESPONSIBILITY OF PRINCIPAL TO ENSURE PROPER USE
The Principal is responsible to ensure that instructional materials are used at the building in concordance with curricular goals and, if selected at the site, are developmentally appropriate for the students. This responsibility applies regardless of whether the materials are presented by teachers, parents, students, community members, guest speakers, or other persons. (See also Policy 924 – School Volunteers and Policy 644 – Community Resource Persons.)
VI. REEVALUATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
A. District residents, students, or employees have the right to express concern or objection relative to the appropriateness or acceptability of instructional materials.
B. Specific curricular outcomes or assessments developed by a formal building or District process, while not ordinarily considered instructional materials, would, if challenged, be subject to the same reevaluation procedures as core/supplementary instructional materials.
C. The School Board delegates the responsibility for developing and managing a process for reevaluation of instructional materials to the superintendent and his/her designees.
Adopted/Revised
Revised: 1/15/19
Adopted: 12/2/03 (formerly Policy 6410)
Revised: 5/17/94
Revised: 10/15/85
Adopted: 9/1/81
Legal References
Public Law 94-553 – copyright
Minn. Stat. §120A.22, Subd. 9
Minn. Stat. §20B.235
Minn. Stat. §123B.02
Minn. Stat. §124D.58 to 124D.65
Cross References
Policy 104 – School District Mission Statement
Policy 644 – Community Resource Persons
Policy 924 – School Volunteers