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EPSOM SCHOOL DISTRICT

MATERIALS SELECTION POLICY

I. Purpose of this policy:

The purpose of this policy is to explain in detail the procedures for the selection, discarding, and review of all materials purchased for use in the School District.

II. Responsibility for the selection of materials:

Immediate responsibility for the selection of materials rests with the teachers and media personnel within the school district. Ultimate legal responsibility rests with the members of the Epsom School Board.

III. Basic assumptions of the Selection Policy:

This policy is founded upon the following assumptions:

a) Materials will be selected which are appropriate to meet the learning needs of Epsom students keeping in mind the diversity of students’ interests, levels of sophistication, and learning styles.

b) Suggestions and reactions from teachers, those involved in the curriculum design process, students, and other constituencies, will be considered in the selection of materials.

c) In the event that an individual requests the review of an item, the School Board will maintain an objective opinion about the item, while it is under consideration. The item will remain on the shelf during the consideration process.

d) Materials will at all times be selected for inclusion in both the classroom and the Media Center on the basis of what they can add to the learning process. Emphasis will be placed upon the positive process of the selection of useful materials rather than on the negative process on censorship.

IV. Types of materials covered by this policy:

This selection policy deals with the following types of materials:

a) Classroom textbooks

ADOPTED: April, 1985

AMENDED: May, 1997

b) Supplementary classroom materials

c) Audiovisual materials used in the classroom, including filmstrips, films, audio tapes, video tapes, microforms, maps, charts, three dimensional models, computer programs

d) Both print and non-print materials in the Media Center, including periodicals, pamphlets, and computer programs.

V. Basis for the selection of materials:

Materials will be selected for use in the classroom and/or the Media Center on the basis of the contribution they can make to the learning process. During the selection process, an item will be rated according to the criteria listed on the form called "Selection Rating Form," which is included in the Appendix.

VI. Removal of an item from the classroom or the Media Center:

When an individual feels that an item is inappropriate for use either in the classroom or the Media Center, she/he shall submit a formal request for review to the principal. Request forms may be obtained from the principal or the media specialist. The procedure from that point shall be as follows:

a) The principal will refer the completed review form to the superintendent within ten days of its receipt.

b) The superintendent will, within one week, appoint a review committee, which will consist of the following; one school board member, one member of the administration, the media specialist, one teacher, a member of the community, the teacher who selected the item, when appropriate.

c) The superintendent will select one member of the board to serve as chairperson, and will refer the reconsideration form to that person.

d) Within 30 calendar days of the filing of the review request, the members of the committee will review the item and the review form to determine the validity of the complaint and render a decision.

e) Until the review committee makes a final decision about the item, the item will remain in use either in the classroom or the Media Center.

f) Within three days of the review committee’s decision, the chairperson will notify the superintendent of the review procedure and decision. The superintendent will then notify the principal, the school board, and the person who requested the review within five days following notification of the committee’s decision.

g) Any item which is judged inappropriate by the review committee will be removed immediately from the classroom and/or Media Center.

VI. Special applications of this policy to the Media Center:

Because the Media Center houses a great diversity of types of materials, it is particularly important to select items for the collection which will make a positive contribution to the learning process. Materials should be chosen after the following questions have been asked:

a) Does the item supplement the curriculum?

b) Does the item encourage the appreciation of quality in literature?

c) Will the item assist the students in the development of life skills?

As with the selection of classroom materials, literary merit, reputation of the author or producer, technical quality, and cost, should all be considered during the selection process. Other factors which should be considered are requests of faculty members and students and the need to achieve a balanced point of view on a particular subject within the collection. When selecting potentially controversial materials, the media specialist will utilize the Selection Rating Form (Appendix B) and will consult recognized library review sources.

The process of adding materials to the collection will be carried out as a positive process of selection rather than as the negative process of censorship. Materials will be selected according to the guidelines of the "School Library Bill of Rights," which is included in the Appendix.

VII. Discarding of classroom and/or Media Center materials:

Materials should be discarded from the classroom and/or Media Center collection when they are no longer relevant to the learning process. This may be because they have become worn and tattered, because they are out of date, or because they no longer support curriculum needs. A written record should be kept of all books and non-print items which are removed from the collection.

When books, audiovisual materials, or periodicals are eliminated from the collection, they should be discarded, dispersed to the teachers for classroom use if appropriate or sold to purchase new materials.

 

APPENDIX A

 

REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF A BOOK OR OTHER INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL

TITLE

AUTHOR

PUBLISHER DATE

YOUR NAME DATE

IS THIS ITEM (CHECK ONE) A BOOK_____, A PERIODICAL_____, AV ITEM_____?

IS THIS ITEM USED IN (CHECK ONE) THE CLASSROOM_____, THE MEDIA CENTER_____?

ARE YOU REPRESENTING (CHECK ONE) YOURSELF_____, A GROUP_____?

WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION?

1. What do you believe is the theme or the purpose of the material?

2. Is your objection to this material based upon your personal exposure to it, upon reports you have heard, both?

3. Have your read/heard/seen the material in its entirety?

4. To what aspect of the material do you object?

5. In your opinion, what are the material’s redeeming educational values?

6. Do you feel it might be appropriate under certain conditions?

Under supervision__________? As a part of course work__________?

Used with specific age group__________? Other conditions__________?

7. What action would you recommend be taken regarding the use of this material in the school?

SIGNATURE DATE

APPENDIX B

 

SELECTION RATING FORM

TITLE

AUTHOR BOOK PERIODICAL AV (type)

PUBLISHER DATE

TEACHER DATE

 

(LOW) 1

2

3

4

5 (HIGH)

1. Does the item possess literary merit?

          
           

2. Is the author or producer held in high regard?

 		         
           

3. Is the item of good technical quality, (clear print, quality binding, exceptional graphics, excellence in color reproduc-tion?

 		         
           

4. Is the item reasonably priced?

 		         
           

5. Can the item be used effectively by a variety of teachers?

 		         
           

6. Is the item appropriate for the age and level of sophistication of the students with whom it will be used?

 		         
           

7. Does it use unnecessary racism or sexism?

 		         

Are there other factors that should be considered concerning the purchase of this item?

 

APPENDIX C

 

REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF AN INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM

PROGRAM TITLE AND DESCRIPTION

YOUR NAME DATE

ARE YOU REPRESENTING (CHECK ONE) YOURSELF A GROUP ?

WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION?

1. Is this a purchased program locally developed ?

2. What do you believe is the theme or the purpose of the program?

3. Is your objection to this program based upon your personal exposure to it, upon reports you have heard or both? (Please detail)

4. Have you read/heard/seen the program in its entirety?

5. To what aspect(s) of the program do you object?

6. In your opinion, does the program have educational values? Do you feel it might be appropriate under certain conditions but not others?

Under supervision ? As a part of course work ?

Used with specific age group ? Other conditions ?

7. What action would you recommend be taken regarding the use of this program in the school?

SIGNATURE DATE

 

APPENDIX D

 

SCHOOL LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS*

 

"School libraries are concerned with generating understanding of American freedoms and with the preservation of these freedoms through the development of informed and responsible citizens. To this end the American Association of School Librarians endorses the Library Bill of Rights of the American Library Association and asserts that the responsibility of the school library is:

To provide materials that will enrich and support the curriculum, taking into consideration the varied interests, abilities, and maturity levels of the pupils served.

To provide materials that will stimulate growth in factual knowledge, literary appreciation, aesthetic values, and ethical standards.

To provide a background of information which will enable pupils to make intelligent judgments in their daily life.

To provide materials on opposing sides of controversial issues so that young citizens may develop under guidance the practice of critical reading and thinking.

To provide materials representative of the many religious, ethnic, and cultural groups and their contributions to our American heritage.

To place principle above personal opinion and reason above prejudice in the selection of materials of the highest quality in order to assure a comprehensive collection appropriate for the users of the library."

 

* Presented to the ALA Council by the American Association of School Librarians on July 8, 1955.