9130 - PROCEDURE FOR PROCESSING CHALLENGED BOOKS AND MATERIALS

Greenwood Community School Corporation

Administrative Guidelines

9130 - PROCEDURE FOR PROCESSING CHALLENGED BOOKS AND MATERIALS
Textbook Adoptions

The adoption of textbooks for the Greenwood Community School Corporation shall be in accordance with the laws of the State and the Rules of the State Board of Education. The Superintendent is responsible for directing the selection of textbooks and of recommending them to the Board of School Trustees for adoption. Criticism of texts or instructional materials adopted for use by the Greenwood Community School Corporation should be submitted, in writing, to the Superintendent. Specific references to portions of texts or materials should be included.

Criticisms of library or curriculum resource materials should be submitted, in writing, to the Superintendent (Form 9130 F5). The Board of School Trustees will be informed. Allegations thus submitted will be considered by a committee among the faculty which will be appointed by the Superintendent. This committee will be in the subject matter field of the book or material challenged and the challenged book or material will be judged by the committee as to its conformity to School Corporation principles within two (2) weeks. The books or materials involved will be suspended pending a decision, in writing, by the above committee. Appeals from this decision may be made through the Superintendent to the Board of School Trustees for final decision.

CHALLENGE OF BOOKS OR MATERIALS

As responsible citizens of a democratic society and as professional persons who have been trained for and are committed to providing the children and youth of our nation with a quality education, particularly in the English language arts, our belief in the students' right to read is affirmed.

Literature provides access to knowledge and understanding of the human condition which are vital to the student's understanding of him/herself and of his/her place in the universe. Through the vicarious experiences made possible by literature, the student may discover and acquire perspectives on the human situation which enable him/her to make responsible, sensitive decisions concerning his/her own participation in his/her society. The students should not be denied access to these insights by blind prejudices or by ideological biases.

It is the responsibility of the professional teaching staff-a responsibility delegated to the teaching staff by the Board of Education-to select books for classes, to recommend books for individual reading, and to discuss books with students. This responsibility is considered to be a "right" of the teaching staff since it is a necessary concomitant to the adequate fulfillment of the staff's professional responsibility to guide students toward the knowledge and understanding which should characterize free and reasonable persons.

Maturity of Judgment

In fulfilling their "right", professional persons should and will exercise maturity of judgment and will select materials and make recommendations on the basis of sound, defensible educational objectives. Such maturity will avoid dogmatism and will respect the right of thoughtful persons to hold differing opinions concerning the suitability of any particular literary work.

Individuals and groups have the right to be selective of their own reading and to express their views about books for the guidance of others. They should not be permitted to infringe upon the rights of others by imposing their views upon others.

Parents and other citizens have the right to request and to receive explanation of the criteria employed for the selection of books for the curriculum of public schools. Parents and other citizens also have the right to request the reconsideration of such choices and it is the obligation of the schools to provide orderly, responsible procedures for such reconsideration. Those who request the reconsideration of a particular book should be required to examine the book as a whole and to present their objections very specifically, but the School Corporation is not obligated to comply with the desires of the complainant.

The public schools have an obligation to protect the students' right to read from those who would irresponsibly proscribe or censor books, magazines, newspapers, and other instructional materials. It is a professional obligation of educators to defend by reasonable and intelligent means the basic rights of students as members of a free society to be informed, to examine diverse ideas, and to draw their own conclusions on the issues that vitally affect their lives.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING COMPLAINTS

Complaints to Aides, Teachers, or Librarians

		1.	Refer complainant to the principal.
		2.	Notify department coordinator and other appropriate levels.
		3.	Be calm, do not comment or argue, be polite. This person is entitled to file the complaint regardless of the reason. Do not involve students or fellow teachers in the complaint in any way.
		4.	If the complaint is in the form of a Letter to the Editor, do not engage in any reply through the media.

Always be Prepared

		1.	Many complaints are not necessarily directed at the text material only. The complaint may indicate another or deeper problem in the pupil-parent-teacher-school relationship.
		2.	Always have an alternative assignment available. Be sure that a student is aware of this alternative. A teacher should know which materials may be challenged.
		3.	Prepare objectives for your unit. Demonstrating how a text or unit meets these objectives places an instructor in a much stronger position than not being able to show how or what objectives are being met.
		4.	A written rationale should be on file for all texts adopted and taught in each department file. This rationale should be available to all teachers and each teacher should be familiar with the department rationale.

Procedural Steps for Handling Materials Questioned by Individuals or Groups of Individuals

		1.	The complainant will complete one (1) copy of the Material Challenge Request which will be available in the Office of the Superintendent and building principal's office. Copies will be distributed to principals, department coordinators, Librarian, and teachers involved.
		2.	Library materials involving one (1) or a few selections will be removed from the shelves and placed in reserve until a decision is reached. Classroom materials will be removed pending decision.
		3.	A review committee will be appointed by the Superintendent. This committee will consist of the Superintendent or his/her designee, building principal or director, department coordinator, Librarian (if applicable), and involved teachers. The committee will submit their findings and decision within fourteen (14) calendar days after the written request was filed. After the committee has reviewed the material, in its entirety, the results will be submitted to the complainant, in writing.
		4.	Appeals to the decision of the reviewing committee will be made to the Board of School Trustees through the Superintendent. The Board of School Trustees will consider the complaint with the complainant and his/her designated representative (if any present). The Board may appoint a special committee of teachers and parents to review the challenged materials and the special committee may make recommendations to the Superintendent and governing body concerning the use of such materials. The Board will notify the complainant of its decision, in writing, within thirty (30) calendar days of following Board consideration of the complaint.
		5.	A complete file will be kept of all complaints, correspondence and appropriate material in the Office of the Superintendent of Schools.