NORTH SANPETE SCHOOL DISTRICT

Creating Conditions for Learning So All Students Can Succeed

NORTH SANPETE SCHOOL DISTRICT

Creating Conditions for Learning So All Students Can Succeed

VI-31: Literature Selection and Review


North Sanpete School District
Statement of .............

Board Policy with Guidelines

Policy Number: VI-31
Effective Date: 08/09/2022
Revised Date:


PDF Download

Review Form


Subject:  Literature Selection and Review


Board Policy


The policy of the North Sanpete School Board of Education is to see that all students have extensive experience with quality literature. The Board respects the right of parents to protect their children from literature to which they personally have an objection. Therefore, the Board delegates to the District Administration responsibility for developing and administering this policy.

 

Guidelines


The Literature Selection and Review policy shall be administered according to the following administrative policy provisions:


  1. Standards for Required Reading
  2. Literature selections that are assigned as required reading or read aloud to students in the classroom shall meet the following criteria:
  3. The subject matter, interest and reading level, and maturity level of the selection are appropriate for the students being taught.
  4. The selection is appropriate for the age, emotional development, ability level, and social development of the students being taught.
  5. The selection meets an appropriate instructional purpose.
  6. The selection will help students better understand themselves and others.
  7. The selection has identifiable literary or curricular merit.
  8. The literary selection appropriately models literary elements (character, setting, plot, conflict, etc.), style, or genre that the student is expected to learn.
  9. The informational selection has identifiable curricular merit, text structures, and text features that support the main idea, argument, or author’s point of view.
  10. Literature that students select themselves from school library media centers, public libraries, home libraries, classroom libraries, or other sources shall not come under the provisions of this policy.
  11. Standards for Independent Reading
  12. It is the responsibility of classroom teachers to make a reasonable effort that reading materials available in classrooms are appropriate. Reading materials, which are stored in classrooms and available for self-selection by students, shall meet the following criteria:
  13. The materials shall be appropriate regarding subject matter, reading level, and maturity level as well as appropriate for the ages and interests of the students.
  14. The literary materials appropriately model literary elements (character, setting, plot, conflict, etc.), style, or genre.
  15. The informational materials appropriately model text structures and text features.
  16. Independent reading selections should be monitored by a parent.
  17. Organization of Literature Selection and Review Committees
  18. Elementary Literature Selection and Review Committees
  19. District Elementary Literature Selection and Review Committee
  20. Each elementary school may organize a Literature Selection and Review Committee, if needed, for the purpose of selecting and reviewing required literature for the classroom. When created, this committee membership shall include the principal, who will chair the committee, and a teacher from grades 4, 5, and 6. The selected list will be presented to and approved by the School Community Council.
  21. A current list of recommended reading lists for grades 4, 5, and 6 shall be submitted to the District Curriculum Director before the beginning of each school year and posted to the district website.
  22. Secondary Literature Selection and Review Committees
  23. District Middle School and High School Literature Selection and Review Committees
  24. These committees shall be organized for the purpose of screening and approving the literature that is assigned as required reading in the District's secondary schools.
  25. Each middle school and high school shall organize a Literature Selection and Review Committee for the purpose of selecting and reviewing required literature for the classroom. When created, this committee membership shall include teachers from the Language Arts Department, a social science teacher, and a Special Education teacher. The required reading selections will be presented to and approved by the School Community Council.
  26. A current list of required reading literature for each secondary school shall be submitted to the District Curriculum Director before the beginning of each school year and posted to the district website.
  27. Teachers shall not assign any literature selection that has not had prior approval for use in the classroom. Secondary teachers who wish to teach a selection that does not appear on the current District-approved list shall complete a Recommendation Form and submit it to the appropriate middle or high school selection committee for review and approval. All new recommendations must be presented and approved by the School Community Council. Recommendation forms are available from the NSSD Teaching and Learning website and at [link to form ]
  28. Challenges to Approved Literature
  29. Challenges to approved literature used in the classroom shall be submitted in writing to the principal who shall call a Literature Selection and Review Committee meeting to review the challenge. At least three committee members shall receive a copy of the challenge and read the selection prior to the meeting. Forms are available at the District Office and on the District website.
  30. The committee as a whole shall discuss the challenged selection, based on the administrative policy provisions outlined under Item 1. A. of this policy and the written challenge.
  31. The committee shall determine by majority vote whether or not the challenged material selection shall be retained for classroom instruction.
  32. The principal shall respond to the reconsideration in writing following the committee decision.
  33. Decisions of the local school committees may be appealed to the District Curriculum Director.
  34. Parent/Guardian Rights
  35. Parents/guardians may exempt their students from a required reading assignment if they personally find the literature objectionable.
  36. The student shall be provided with an alternative literature selection from the district-approved list without penalty.


Share by: