Book: I

Section: Instruction

Title: Selection of Educational Materials

Code: IJJ

Status: Active

Adopted: January 8, 2003

Last Revised: September 19, 2023

Prior Revised Dates: August 4, 2004; June 7, 2011; December 4, 2012; October 6, 2020

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SELECTION OF EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS

 

PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

 

The highest priority shall be meeting the student’s instructional needs of the district’s mission, vision, and goals. In meeting this priority, preference shall be given to basic learning materials, i.e., those that are the predominant instructional materials used at particular grade levels or courses and/or are essential to student achievement of Maine’s system of learning results content standards.

 

Before selecting/recommending materials for purchase, professional staff should evaluate the existing collection, consult with staff from appropriate departments and/or grade levels, personally review the material and obtain recommendations/reviews regarding the material from appropriate reputable sources.

 

In accordance with state regulations, social studies and science textbooks should not be older than five years unless up-to-date supplemental instructional materials are also available.

 

Multiple copies of materials should be purchased as needed and within budgetary constraints. Worn or missing materials should be replaced as needed. Outdated materials or materials that are no longer in demand should be withdrawn from the collection and/or circulation.

 

Donated Materials

 

Gift materials are judged by the same criteria as materials selected by the school staff and in accordance with any applicable Board policies or procedures on gifts and donations.

 

Definitions

“EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS” INCLUDE BOTH INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND LIBRARY-MEDIA RESOURCES. Instructional materials include textbooks and other print materials, software and other electronic materials, and supplies and other materials to support implementation of the Maine system of learning results. Library- media resources include books, written materials, online Internet resource materials, including programs related to educational instruction, multimedia materials and information technology that support the school unit’s curriculum.”

 

Selection of Educational Materials

 

The Superintendent, or his designee, in consultation with administrators and professional staff, is responsible for selecting appropriate educational materials (including instructional materials and library-media resources). Administrative procedures must be consistent. The Superintendent or designee will keep the Board informed about educational materials and textbooks purchased for the school unit.

 

The Superintendent delegates responsibility for selection of library-media materials and technology and Internet resources to the school system’s professional library media specialists, subject to the criteria and procedures for selection and the Board’s policy on challenged materials.

 

Criteria for Selection

 

Instructional and library-media materials selected should:

 

1. Support student achievement of the content standards of the Maine’s system of learning results, which includes the Common Core State Standards;

 

2. Support the goals and objectives of the school unit’s educational programs;

 

3. To contribute toward continuity, integration and articulation of the curriculum;

 

4. Take into consideration the varied interests, abilities and maturity levels of the students served;

 

5. Foster respect and appreciation for cultural diversity and varied opinions;

 

6. Provide a comprehensive, accurate and peer-reviewed collection that enables students to develop a capability for critical analysis through engaging with a broad array of perspectives

 

8. Stimulate growth in factual knowledge, literary appreciation, aesthetic values, and ethical standards

 

1. Provide information that will enable students to make informed decisions in their daily lives;

 

10. Be accurate and current;

 

11. Reflect high quality scholarship and presentation;

 

50. Represent significant authors/composers and works; and

 

1000. Be affordable and not exceed the approved budget.

 

Other factors that should be considered are accuracy and currency of material; importance of the subject matter; scholarship; quality of writing and production; and reputation and significance of the author, artist or composer.

 

In evaluating software, multimedia materials and online/Internet resources, additional factors that should be considered include purpose for use; content; format; appropriate use of graphics, sound and animation; feedback provided; and ease of use.

 

 

Inspection of Materials by Parents/Guardians and Opt-Out Requests

 

A student’s parent/guardian may inspect, upon request, any instructional or library- media materials used as part of the curriculum. Such requests shall be made to the appropriate teacher or the library-media specialist. Access to the materials shall be provided within a reasonable time after such a request is made. The Superintendent may develop any administrative procedures necessary to implement this policy.

 

If a parent/guardian wishes to restrict their child’s access to particular instructional materials, the procedure in Board policy IMBB shall be followed.

 

Information about Inspection of Materials and Opt-Out Requests shall be made available in all school handbooks.

 

Challenged Materials Procedure

 

This procedure applies only to requests to remove materials from the school’s collection or curriculum. Individual exemption requests are subject to Board policy IMBB. In the event that a student, parent, staff or community member has a concern regarding particular materials or requests removal of particular material from the curriculum or collection, the following procedure will be followed:

 

1. The complainant must discuss their concern first with the person providing the material in question. Individual staff members may discuss concerns, but do not have the authority to remove materials from the curriculum or library collection.

 

2. If the complainant is not satisfied, he/she shall be referred to the building administrator and requested to fill out the “Citizen’s Challenge to Educational Media” form. A copy of the form will be forwarded to the Superintendent.

 

3. The Superintendent shall appoint a committee composed of the following persons to review the complaint: one administrator at the appropriate grade level; one librarian/media specialist; one classroom teacher; the department head in the subject area of the challenged materials; and one community member.

 

4. The review committee shall read and examine the materials referred to them; check general acceptance of materials by reading reviews; weigh the values and faults of the material. Committee members are expected to form opinions based on the material as a whole and not on passages or portions pulled out of context. The Committee should generally be neutral toward viewpoints expressed in materials, and shall ask the Superintendent to consult legal counsel for advice concerning any questions involving freedom of speech or expression. The committee shall meet to discuss the material and prepare a written report with their recommendations.

 

5. The committee shall provide the final report to the Superintendent, who will inform the complainant of the results.

 

6. No material shall be removed from use until the review committee has made a final decision.

 

 

Legal Reference: 20-A MRSA §§ 1001 (10-A), 1055 (4), 4002

Chapter 125 (Maine Department of Education Rules) P.L. 107-110 § 1061 (No Child Left Behind Act)

 

Cross Reference:         IJJ-R2 – Procedure for Dealing with Challenged Materials IMBB – Accommodation of Sincere Beliefs in Required Instruction

IGA – Curriculum (Course of Study) Planning, Review and Approval IGA-R - Curriculum (Course of Study) Planning and Review

 

Adopted: January 8, 2003 Revised: August 4, 2004; June 7, 2011, December, 4, 2012; October 6, 2020

 

Legal

P.L. 107-110 § 1061 (No Child Left Behind Act)

20-A MRSA §§ 4002

20-A MRSA §§ 1001 (10-A), 1055 (4),

Cross References

IJJ-R2 - Procedures for Dealing with Challenged Materials

IGA - Curriculum

IGA-R - Curriculum (Course of Study) Planning and Review

IMBB - Accommodations in Sincere Beliefs from Required Instruction

 

 

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