POLICY 6-5.6 COMPLAINTS REGARDING INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND LEARNING RESOURCES

Challenging Controversial Instructional Materials

Parents and other community members have the opportunity to request reconsideration of selected materials or to challenge the use of selected materials through the following procedure:

1. Complete the “Challenge of Controversial Instructional Materials” form;

2. Submit the completed form to the building principal;

3. The building principal convenes a faculty committee to review the challenged material(s);

4. The committee recommends the continued use or the removal of the challenged material(s); and

5. The building principal informs the parent or community member who initiated the challenge and forwards a report of the committee decision to the Assistant Superintendent for Learning and Teaching.

If the parent or community member is dissatisfied with the outcome of the challenge, he/she may then present that challenge to the Assistant Superintendent for Learning and Teaching, who will review the challenged materials and make a recommendation regarding the materials. If the parent or community member is still dissatisfied with the outcome, he/she may appeal to the division superintendent and then to the School Board.

If a parent objects to his/her child reading specific selections, teachers may provide alternate selections or activities for students on an individual basis. This provision should not be interpreted as excusing students from basic textbook materials necessary for the completion of a course of study.

LEGAL REFERENCE: Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, §§ 22.1-253.13:7(D)(2); 8 VAC 20-170-10.

Adopted: April 2004

CHALLENGE OF CONTROVERSIAL INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

Type of Material (book, video, software, etc.) __________________________________

Title: ________________________________________

Author: ________________________________________

Publisher/Producer: ___________________________ Date Published: __________

Challenge Initiated By: _______________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________

_______________________________________________

Tel. No.: ____________________ E-mail: ____________________

q Individual

q Organization/Group (Please Specify) ______________________________________

1. How did you become aware of the use of this material in the school?

2. Where is the material being used (class, library, club, etc)?

3. What do you find objectionable about this material? Please be specific; cite page

numbers, particular words, ideas, etc.

4. What effect do you believe the objectionable material might have on a student?

5. What value, if any, do you see in this material?

6. For what age group would you recommend this material?

7. Which portion of the material did you read, view, or hear (list or describe the specific

sections)?

8. Are you aware of any written critiques of this material?

9. Why do you believe this work has been included in the instructional program?

10. What do you request the school to do with this work?

11. Other comments or suggestions?

_____________________________ ____________________________

Signature of Complainant Date

NOTE: This form, once completed, should be turned in to the principal.