Ready for a challenge
Transcript of 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
Criteria for Selection
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.
Criteria for Selection
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
Criteria for Selection
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
Criteria for Selection
– 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
Criteria for Selection
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.”
Criteria for Selection
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
Request for Reconsideration
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
Request for Reconsideration
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
Request for Reconsideration
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
Request for Reconsideration
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.
Reconsideration – The Process
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
Reconsideration – The Process
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
Reconsideration – The Process
The committee members read the challenged material and judge whether it conforms to the selection policy
Two page report
Reconsideration – The Process
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