Instructional Materials

All District classrooms should be equipped with a wide assortment of instructional materials; including, (The term instructional materials means both print and non-print materials, including electronic textbooks being used in the educational process.) textbooks, workbooks, audio-visual materials, and electronic materials.  These materials should provide quality learning experiences for students and:

1. Enrich and support the curriculum;
2. Stimulate growth in knowledge, literary appreciation, aesthetic values, and ethical standards;
3. Provide background information to enable students to make intelligent judgments and promote critical reading and thinking;
4. Depict in an accurate and unbiased way the cultural diversity and pluralistic nature of American society; and
5. Contribute to a sense of the worth of all people regardless of sex, race origin, sexual orientation, disability, or any other differences that may exist.

The Superintendent or designee shall annually provide a list or description of textbooks and instructional materials used in the District to the School Board.  Anyone may inspect any textbook or instructional material.

Teachers are encouraged to use age-appropriate supplemental material only when it will enhance, or otherwise illustrate, the subjects being taught.  No R-rated movie shall be shown to student unless prior approval is received from the Superintendent or designee, and no movie rated NC-17 (no one 17 and under admitted) shall be shown under any circumstances.  These restrictions apply to television programs and other media with equivalent ratings. The Superintendent or designee shall give parents/guardians an opportunity to request that their child not participate in a class showing a movie, television program, or other media with an R or equivalent rating.

Instructional Materials Selection and Adoption

The Superintendent shall approve the selection of all textbooks and instructional materials according to the standards described in the policy.   The School Code governs the adoption and purchase of textbooks and instructional materials.

LEGAL REF.:  105 ILCS 5/10-20.8and 5/28-19.1.

CROSS REF.:  6:30 (Organization of Instruction), 6:40 (Curriculum Development), 6:80 (Teaching About Controversial Issues), 6:170 (Title I Programs), 6:260 (Complaints About Curriculum, Instructional Materials, and Programs), 7:10 (Equal Educational Opportunities), 7:15 (Student and Family Privacy Rights), 8:110 (Public Suggestions and Concerns)

ADOPTED:  November 22, 2004

REVISED:  June 27, 2011
January 28, 2013
December 18, 2017