IJJ - Selection of Educational Materials
Definitions
Chapter 125 of the Maine Department of Education defines “instructional materials” to include “textbooks and other print materials, online textbooks and instructional materials, other online/Internet resources (including access), software, and supplies and other materials to support instruction in subject areas and the implementation of standards for student learning.”
“Library-media resources” include “books, print materials, online Internet resource materials, multimedia materials and information technology that, as part of the library-media program, support the District’s curriculum.”
Selection of Materials
The Superintendent, in consultation with administrators and professional staff, is responsible for selecting appropriate educational materials (including instructional materials and library-media resources) and their use. The Superintendent is responsible for developing and implementing administrative procedures necessary to guide the review and selection of educational materials, and may delegate specific responsibilities to staff as they deem appropriate. The Superintendent is expected to keep the Board informed about such administrative procedures and any changes
thereto. These procedures will be reviewed with staff on a regular basis.
Criteria for Selection
Quality educational materials and resources are essential to student learning and supporting the school unit’s educational goals and objectives.
Instructional and library-media materials selected should:
A. Support student achievement of the content standards;
B. Support the goals and objectives of the school unit’s educational programs;
C. Enrich and support the curriculum;
D. Take into consideration the varied interests, abilities and maturity levels of the students served;
E. Foster respect and appreciation for diversity and varied perspectives;
F. Stimulate growth in factual knowledge, literary appreciation, aesthetic values, ethical standards, and critical analysis;
G. Provide information that will enable students to make informed decisions in their daily lives;
H. Be accurate, current, and culturally responsive;
I. Reflect high quality scholarship and presentation;
J. Be accessible by individuals with disabilities; and
K. Be affordable.
Selection Procedure
The highest priority shall be meeting the instructional needs of the individual schools. 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 state and local 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.
Inspection of Materials by Parents 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.
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 member or Falmouth resident has a concern regarding particular materials or requests removal of particular material from the curriculum or collection, the following
procedure will be followed:
A. 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.
B. If the complainant is not satisfied, he/she shall be referred to the building administrator and requested to fill out the “Citizen’s Request for Material Reconsideration” form (IJJ-E). A copy of the form will be forwarded to the Superintendent.
C. 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 Falmouth resident.
D. 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.
E. The committee shall provide the final report to the Superintendent, who will inform the complainant of the results.
F. No material shall be removed from use until the review committee has made a final decision.
G. The review committee’s decision may be appealed to the Board. The Board may set aside a portion of a regular meeting or call a special meeting to review the complaint and the committee report, and to receive testimony from representatives of the various points of view. The material in question shall be:
1. Reviewed objectively and in its full content by the Board;
2. Evaluated in terms of the needs and interests of students, school, curriculum and community;
3. Considered in the light of differing opinions; and
4. Reviewed in light of the criteria set forth in this policy.
The Chair will convey the Board’s decision no later than the conclusion of the next regular Board meeting.
Legal Reference:
20-A MRSA §§ 1001 (10-A), 1055 (4), 4002
Ch. 125 §§ 9.01, 9.03 (Me. Dept. of Ed. Rule)
P.L. 107-110 § 1061 (No Child Left Behind Act)
Cross Reference:
IJJ-E – Citizen’s Request for Material Reconsideration Form
IMBB – Accommodation of Sincere Beliefs in Required Instruction
Adopted: May 18, 2009
Revised: November 18, 2019
June 21, 2022