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Textbook Selection and Adoption Catalog
The Board policy is to maintain a reasonable textbook adoption schedule not to exceed ten (10) years. Additional adoptions may occur as deemed necessary to support the curriculum (generally accepted). Textbook committees, comprised of teachers, parents, administrators, and students (when appropriate)shall be appointed by the Curriculum Department. Recommendations of the committees shall be presented by the Curriculum Department to the Superintendent or superintendent's designee for review prior to presentation to the Board for adoption. Textbook Adoption Catalog A catalog of all textbook adoptions for elementary, intermediate, and high schools shall be revised each year.
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School Library The District will maintain a school library in each building for use by employees and by students during the school day. Materials for the centers will be acquired according to board policy, "Instructional Materials Selection." It is the responsibility of the principal of the building in which the school library is located to oversee the use of materials in the library. It is the responsibility of the Superintendent or superintendent's designee to develop procedures for the selection and replacement of both library and instructional materials, for the acceptance of gifts, for the weeding of library and instructional materials, and for the handling of challenges to either library or classroom materials. NOTE: This is a mandatory policy and reflects the educational standards.
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Use of Information Resources
In order for students to experience a diverse curriculum, the Board encourages employees to supplement their regular curricular materials with other resources. In so doing, the board recognizes that federal law makes it illegal to duplicate copyrighted materials without authorization of the holder of the copyright, except for certain exempt purposes. Severe penalties may be imposed for plagiarism, unauthorized copying or using of media, including, but not limited to, print, electronic and web-based materials, unless the copying or using conforms to the "fair use" doctrine. Under the "fair use" doctrine, unauthorized reproduction of copyrighted materials is permissible for such purposes as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship or research providing that all fair use guidelines are met. While the school district encourages employees to enrich the learning programs by making proper use of supplementary materials, it is the responsibility of employees to abide by the school district's copying procedures and obey the requirements of the law. In no circumstances shall it be necessary for school district staff to violate copyright requirements in order to perform their duties properly. The school district will not be responsible for any violations of the copyright law by employees or students. Violation of the copyright law by employees may result in discipline up to, and including, termination. Violation of the copyright law by students may result in discipline, up to and including, suspension or expulsion. Parents or others who wish to record, by any means, school programs or other activities need to realize that even though the school district received permission to perform a copyrighted work does not mean outsiders can copy it and re-play it. Those who wish to do so should contact the employee in charge of the activity to determine what the process is to ensure the copyright law is followed. The school district is not responsible for outsiders violating the copyright law or this policy. Any employee or student who is uncertain as to whether reproducing or using copyrighted material complies with the school district's procedures or is permissible under the law should contact the [principal, teacher or teacher-librarian – choose as many as apply or add others] who will also assist employees and students in obtaining proper authorization to copy or use protected material when such authorization is required. It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the [principal, teacher or teacher-librarian – choose as many as apply or add others], to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy. Note: This is a mandatory policy. The policy is based upon federal law. It is strongly recommended the board seek legal counsel prior to making substantive edits to the policy and sample regulation.
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Guidance and Counseling (Deleted 9/18/00)
INSTRUCTION Health Education As part of health education, students in pre-K through 12 grade will receive instruction in the following areas: personal health; food and nutrition; environmental health; safety and survival skills; consumer health; family life; human growth and development; substance abuse and non-use (including the effects of alcohol, tobacco, drugs and poisons on the human body); human sexuality; self-esteem; stress management; interpersonal relationships; emotional and social health; health resources; prevention and control of disease; and communicable diseases (including acquired immune deficiency syndrome). The purpose of the health education program is to help each student protect, improve, and maintain physical, emotional, and social well-being. The instruction in the areas listed will be adapted by grade level to aid in the students’ understanding. Parents who object to health education instruction in human growth and development may file a written request so their student may be excused from the instruction. The Superintendent or superintendent’s designee will have the final authority to determine the alternate activity of study.
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Music Lessons
Instrumental instruction shall be offered, beginning in grade four for strings and grade five for wind and percussion, to all students of the District who desire this training. Each student who registers for training shall receive one individual lesson a week during school time under the direction of a special instrumental instructor. In addition, the students shall be given ensemble experience as soon as they are able to play in the orchestra or band.
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Instructional Materials Selection The Board has sole discretion to approve instructional materials for the District. The Superintendent or superintendent's designee may delegate the selection of instructional materials to licensed employees of the District. In all cases, the selection of instructional materials must be approved by the Superintendent or superintendent's designee, and are subject to board review. In the case of textbooks, the Board will make the final decision after receiving a recommendation from the Superintendent. Textbooks will be reviewed as needed and at least every 10 years. Educational materials given to the District must meet the criteria established above. The gift must be received in compliance with board policy. Teachers may use discretion in supplementing the curriculum with additional, appropriate materials without seeking prior administrative or board approval. However, materials which substantially supplant an approved textbook require administrative and Board approval. The District shall maintain a list of approved textbooks and instructional materials for each class taught in the District and this list shall be provided to the Board on an annual basis. The list shall include the date when each item was selected by the administration and approved by the Board. NOTE: This is a mandatory policy. The Board may edit the policy and regulation to reflect its philosophy, goals and practices.
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Inspection of Instructional Materials
Parents and members of the District's community may view the instructional materials including teacher's manuals, films, tapes, or other supplementary material that will be used in connection with any survey, analysis, or evaluation as part of any federally funded or other programs must be available for inspection by parents.
The instructional materials must be viewed on District premises. Copies may be obtained according to Board Policy 306.05 Public Examination of School District Public Records and copyright laws.
It shall be the responsibility of the Superintendent or superintendent's designee to develop administrative regulations regarding the inspection of instructional materials.
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Objection to Instructional Materials
Members of the school district community may object to the instructional materials utilized in the District and ask for their use to be reconsidered. It is the responsibility of the Superintendent or superintendent's designee, in conjunction with the principals, to develop administrative regulations for reconsideration of instructional materials. NOTE: This is a mandatory policy. The Board may edit the policy and regulation to reflect its philosophy, goals and practices
DAVENPORT COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT RECONSIDERATION REQUEST FORM
Citizen's Request For Re-evaluation of Specific Educational Materials
Item Description Author Title Publisher Copyright Date Type of Material book, filmstrip, etc.) School(s) in which item is used Request Initiated by Telephone Address City Zip
Complainant Represents: her/himself group or organization name of group address of group
1. Did you read, view, or listen to the entire work? If not, what sections did you read, view, or hear?:
2. To what in the material do you object? Please be specific; cite pages, pictures, etc.
3. In your opinion, what harmful effects upon pupils might result from use of this item?
(over)
4. Do you perceive any instructional value in the use of this work?
5. What do you believe is the theme or purpose of this work?
6. In the place of this item would you care to recommend other material which you consider to be of equal or superior quality for the purpose intended?
7. What would you like to have done about this material?
Do not assign or lend it to my child.
Discontinue using it as text or supplementary text material. Remove it from the media centers. Other (specify)
8. Would you like to meet with the Reconsideration Committee? yes no
Signature Date
Return to your building principal or:
Associate Superintendent for Learning Services Administration Service Center 1606 Brady Street Davenport, IA 52803-4714 INSTRUCTION
Professional and Curriculum Library The administration shall arrange to have access to a current Professional and Curriculum Library through the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency, for use by the professionals of the school district. The staff shall be allowed to suggest books and periodicals to expand this library. If the MBAEA ceases to provide such a Professional and Curriculum Library, the administration shall organize and keep current a Professional and Curriculum Library in the school district, or shall provide for a comparable service through a cost effective means.
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The Balanced Enrollment concept recommends class sizes in grades K-5, reduces budgetary needs related to staffing elementary schools, and maintains the board goal of lower class sizes. Procedures for balanced enrollment apply when enrollment at a grade level exceeds District guidelines (see Policy 603.01 Class Size--Elementary). In such instances the parents shall select another school within the same attendance zone instead of their neighborhood school. The District shall provide transportation if needed to accommodate attendance at a site other than the neighborhood school. Guidelines for parents include the option to return to their neighborhood school when space becomes available. For the highly mobile student, after the family's third move within a school year, the Deputy Superintendent or Director of Administrative Services will consult with the family to arrange a school for their student(s) to attend on a permanent basis in order to provide the best educational stability. Buildings shall follow the guidelines for lower class sizes and enroll students based upon implementation strategies for balanced enrollment. The administration shall develop procedures to ensure the program is handled equitably from school to school. The implementation of the procedures shall be the responsibility of the Superintendent or superintendent's designee. The administration shall report annually on the effects of the program on individual buildings, the teaching staff, families, and the budget. The Superintendent or superintendent's designee shall be responsible for effectively communicating balanced enrollment procedures to parents and the community. Procedures for balanced enrollment shall be evaluated on an annual basis.
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