Ready for a challenge

Ready for a Challenge???

MISD Policy 633a

Selection of Resources/

Challenged Resources

PowerPoint presentation available for download at:

http://tinyurl.com/6m4ozg

A sticky situation…

Some background…

First Amendment

Island Trees School District v. Pico (1982)

“In loco parentis”

MISD Selection Policy

Policy 633a

“To provide a wide range of instructional and library materials on all levels of difficulty, with diversity of appeal, and with the presentation of different points of view.”

“Persons having complaints or concerns about…materials…should feel free to express these complaints or concerns.”

Responsibility for Selection

The School Board is legally responsible for materials that are selected for use with students

Responsibility for selection of materials is delegated to professionally trained and certified– instructional staff and– librarians

Criteria for Selection

Instructional materials must: support and be consistent with educational goals

enrich and support curriculum needs – for instructional and recreational purposes

be appropriate for the subject area and age, emotional development, ability level, and social development of students


Instructional materials must: Provide…information that will motivate students and

staff to examine their own attitudes and behavior…as citizens in our society, and to make informed judgments in their daily lives

Represent the contributions of all people, regardless of age, sex, religion, ethnicity, etc.


Instructional materials must: Respect the rights and values of individuals

and families

Meet high standards of quality in Physical format Factual content Readability Artistic quality Authenticity


When selecting materials, keep in mind:– The Freedom to Read statement

Wide diversity of views and expressions are good

Not all ideas must be endorsed

Author’s background doesn’t matter

Can’t force your tastes on others


– The Freedom to Read statement, continued It is our responsibility to contest encroachments upon

the freedom to read by individuals or groups seeking to impose their own standards or tastes upon the community

By providing books that enrich the quality and diversity of thought and expression, we demonstrate that the answer to a “bad” book is a “good” one


When selecting materials, keep in mind:– The Students’ Right to Read (NCTE)

“The right to read…can be used wisely or foolishly. In many ways, education is an effort to improve the quality of choices open to all students. But to deny the freedom of choice in fear that it may be unwisely used is to destroy the freedom itself. For this reason, we respect the right of individuals to be selective in their own reading.”


On a recognized list Reviewed Gifts must meet the same criteria as

materials that are selected for purchase

Recommended Selection Tools

Professional journals

Recommended book lists

Self review

Follow the Selection Policy…

when putting materials in your classroom or library that are for student use

Request for Reconsideration

Guiding principles: The right to object to instructional resources

is granted by the Board

Any parent, resident or employee of the district may raise an objection


Guiding principles (2) The principles of the freedom to read, listen

and view must be defended

Access to challenged textbooks or classroom resources should NOT be restricted during the reconsideration process


Guiding principles (3) Access to challenged library materials will be

restricted unless parent provides written permission

Major criterion for decision is the appropriateness of the material for its intended educational use


Guiding principles (4) A decision to sustain a challenge shall not be

interpreted as irresponsibility on the part of the professional involved in the selection


A parent’s ability to exercise control over reading, listening or viewing matter extends only to his or her

own children.

Reconsideration – The Process

Try to resolve the issue informally

One page report

Our goal is to resolve the complaint

informally whenever possible.


FORMAL RECONSIDERATION

Step 1 - Principal mails documents and form to the concerned party:– A copy of Policy 633a– Citizen’s Request for Reconsideration of

Instructional Materials form

Two page form


The complainant must complete and return the form to the building principal before the process can continue

When the form is returned, the principal appoints a reconsideration committee:– Teachers (2)– Librarian– Parents (2)– Principal


The committee members read the challenged material and judge whether it conforms to the selection policy

Two page report


The complainant must be notified in writing of the committee’s decision within 30 instructional days of the receipt of the complaint.

The decision of the committee is binding only for that individual school.

Reconsideration - Appeal

If the complainant is not satisfied with the committee’s decision, he may appeal within 10 days of the receipt of the decision to the appropriate A.O.

The objection to the committee decision must be explained by the complainant in writing.

The A.O. has 10 instructional days from the day of receipt to make a decision and notify the complainant.

Reconsideration - Appeal

If the complainant is not satisfied with the A.O.’s decision, he may appeal to the superintendent, following the same procedure

If the complainant is not satisfied with the superintendent’s decision, he may request a hearing on the matter at the next regular meeting of the Board

Follow the Selection Policy carefully to avoid a challenge

If you do have a challenge…

Try to resolve it informally If you can’t, keep calm and follow the

process Library Services can provide help and

support

Now you’re ready to meet the challenge!

MISD Library Services

August 2007

Education

Ready for a challenge