CODE G5

SELECTION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

Policy
It is the policy of the _________________School District to provide students with a broad variety of instructional materials to support student learning.

Implementation
Instructional materials will be selected by professional staff in accordance with the following criteria and procedures:

1. Instructional materials should enrich and support the current curriculum, taking into consideration the varied interests, abilities, and maturity levels of students served.
2. Instructional materials should stimulate growth in factual knowledge, literary appreciation, aesthetic values, and ethical standards.
3. Instructional materials should provide a background of information which will enable students to make intelligent judgments in daily life.
4. Instructional materials should present opposing sides of controversial issues so that, with guidance, young citizens may develop the practice of critical thinking.
5. Instructional materials should be representative of different racial, religious, ethnic, and cultural groups, emphasizing their valuable contributions to American heritage and should be free from sex-role stereotyping to the extent possible.
6. Books and instructional materials should be chosen for values of interest and enlightenment of all the students of a community and to encourage students to read regularly. A book will not be excluded because of the race, nationality, or the political or religious views of the author.
7. Since books and instructional materials are selected to provide for the interest and needs of the school community and the school program, they may be selected cooperatively by teachers, principals, and librarians, sometimes with the assistance of students and parents.
8. In the selection of books and other instructional materials, consideration should be given to factual accuracy, authoritativeness, balance, and integrity. Aesthetic values also must be considered in selection of materials.
9. Books and instructional materials will be viewed by members of the staff to assure their timeliness and continued appropriateness.
10. The Superintendent has ultimate authority under 16 V.S.A. §563 (14) to preview and approve instructional materials.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Date Warned:
    Date Adopted:
    Legal Reference(s):	16 V.S.A. §563 (14) (Powers of school boards)
    Cross Reference:	Complaints About Instructional Materials (G6)
    	Selecting Library Materials (G4)