EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Series 600
Policy Title: Instructional Materials Selection Code No. 605.1
The Board recognizes that the selection of instructional materials is a vital component of the school district’s curriculum.
The Board has sole discretion to approve instructional materials for the school district. The Board delegates its authority to determine which instructional materials will be utilized and purchased by the school district to licensed employees. The licensed employees will work closely together to ensure vertical and horizontal articulation of textbooks in the education program.
The Board may appoint an ad hoc committee for the selection of instructional materials. The committee may be composed of school district employees, parents, students, community members, or representatives of community groups.
In reviewing current instructional materials for continued use and in selecting additional instructional materials, the licensed employees will consider the current and future needs of the school district as well as the changes and the research in education and society. It is the responsibility of the Superintendent to report to the Board the action taken by the selection committee.
In making its recommendations to the Superintendent, the licensed employees will select materials which:
In the case of textbooks, the Board will make the final decision after a recommendation from the Superintendent. The criteria stated above for selection of instructional materials will also apply to the selection of textbooks. The Superintendent may appoint licensed employees to assist in the selection of textbooks.
Gifts of instructional materials must meet these criteria stated above for the selection of instructional materials. The gift must be received in compliance with Board policy #704.4, “Gifts – Grants – Bequests.”
Approved: February 24, 2004
Reviewed: December 10, 2019
Revised: December 10, 2019
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3, .14; 301. 281 I.A.C. 12.3(12).
Cross Reference: 209.1 Ad Hoc Committees; 505 Student Scholastic Achievement; 602 Curriculum; 605 Instructional Materials
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Series 600
Administrative Regulation: Selection of Instructional Materials Code No. 605.1R1
I. Responsibility for Selection of Instructional Materials
The board is responsible for matters relating to the operation of the District.
The responsibility for the selection of instructional materials is delegated to the professionally trained and licensed employees of the school system.
While selection of materials may involve many people including principals, teacher-librarian, students, parents and community members, the responsibility for coordinating the selection of most instructional materials and making the recommendation for the purchase rests with licensed employees.
Responsibility for coordinating the selection of instructional materials for distribution to classes will rest with the licensed employees, principal and superintendent.
If the board appoints an ad hoc committee to make recommendations on the selection of instructional materials, the ad hoc committee is formed and appointed in compliance with the board policy on Ad Hoc Committees.
The superintendent will inform the committee as to their role and responsibility in the process.
The following statement is given to the ad hoc committee members:
Bear in mind the principles of the freedom to learn and to read and base your decision on these broad principles rather than on defense of individual materials. Freedom of inquiry is vital to education in a democracy.
Study thoroughly all materials referred to you and read available reviews. The general acceptance of the materials should be checked by consulting standard evaluation aids and local holdings in other schools.
Passages or parts should not be pulled out of context. The values and faults should be weighed against each other and the opinions based on the material as a whole.
In the event material is challenged, your report, presenting both majority and minority opinions, will be presented by the principal to the complainant at the conclusion of our discussion of the questioned material.
II. Material selected for use in libraries and classrooms will meet the following guidelines:
Religion - Material will represent any religions in a factual, unbiased manner. The primary source material of religions is considered appropriate, but material which advocates rather than informs, or is designed to sway reader judgment regarding religion, will not be included in the school libraries or classrooms.
Racism - Material will present a diversity of race, custom, culture, and belief as a positive aspect of the nation's heritage and give candid treatment to unresolved intercultural problems, including those which involve prejudice, discrimination, and the undesirable consequences of withholding rights, freedom, or respect of an individual. Required material will comply with all applicable laws.
Sexism - Material will reflect sensitivity to the needs, rights, traits and aspirations of individuals without preference or bias. Required materials will comply with all applicable laws.
Age - Material will recognize the diverse contributions of various age groups and portray the continuing contributions of maturing members of society.
Ideology - Material will present basic primary and factual information on an ideology or philosophy of government which exerts or has exerted a strong force, either favorably or unfavorably, over civilization or society, past or present. This material will not be selected with the intention to sway reader judgment and is related to the maturity level of the intended audience.
Profanity and Sex - Material complies with all applicable laws and is subjected to a test of literary merit and reality by the teacher-librarians and licensed staff who will take into consideration their reading of public and community standards of morality.
Controversial issues materials will be directed toward maintaining a balanced collection representing various views.
The selection decision should be made on the basis of whether the material presents an accurate representation of society and culture, whether the circumstances depicted are realistically portrayed, or whether the material has literary or social value when the material is viewed as a whole.
These guidelines will not be construed in such a manner as to preclude materials which accurately represent the customs, morals, manners, culture, or society of a different time or a different place.
III. Procedure for Selection
Material purchased for libraries and classrooms is recommended for purchase by licensed employees, in consultation with administrative staff, school library staff, students or an ad hoc committee as appointed by the board. The material recommended for purchase is approved by the appropriate building administrator.
The materials selected will support stated objectives and goals of the school district. Specifically, the goals are:
To acquire materials and provide service consistent with the demands of the curriculum;
To develop students' skills and resourcefulness in the use of libraries and learning resources;
To effectively guide and counsel students in the selection and use of materials and libraries;
To foster in students a wide range of significant interests;
To provide opportunities for aesthetic experiences and development of an appreciation of the fine arts;
To provide materials to motivate students to examine their own attitudes and behaviors and to comprehend their own duties and responsibilities as citizens in a pluralistic democracy;
To encourage life-long education through the use of the library; and,
To work cooperatively and constructively with the instructional and administrative staff in the school.
Materials selected are consistent with stated principles of selection. These principles are:
To select material, within established standards, which will meet the goals and objectives of the school district;
To consider the educational characteristics of the community in the selection of materials within a given category;
To present the racial, religious and ethnic groups in the community by:
Portraying people, adults and children, whatever their ethnic, religious or social class identity, as human and recognizable, displaying a familiar range of emotions, both negative and positive.
Placing no constraints on individual aspirations and opportunity.
Giving comprehensive, accurate, and balanced representation to minority groups and women - in art and science, history and literature, and in all other fields of life and culture.
Providing abundant recognition of minority groups and women by showing them frequently in positions of leadership and authority.
To intelligently, quickly, and effectively anticipate and meet needs through awareness of subjects of local, national and international interest and significance; and,
To strive for impartiality in the selection process.
The materials selected will meet stated selection criteria. These criteria are:
Authority-Author's qualifications - education, experience, and previously published works;
Reliability:
Accuracy-meaningful organization and emphasis on content, meets the material's goals and objectives, and presents authoritative and realistic factual material.
Current-presentation of content which is consistent with the finding of recent and authoritative research.
Treatment of subject-shows an objective reflection for the multi-ethnic character and cultural diversity of society.
Language:
Vocabulary:
Does not indicate bias by the use of words which may result in negative value judgments about groups of people;
Does not use "man" or similar limiting word usage in generalization or ambiguities which may cause others to feel excluded or dehumanized.
Compatible to the reading level of the student for whom it is intended.
Format:
Book
Adequate and accurate index;
Paper of good quality and color;
Print adequate and well spaced;
Adequate margins;
Firmly bound; and,
Cost.
Nonbook
Flexibility, adaptability;
Curricular orientation of significant interest to students;
Appropriate for audience;
Accurate authoritative presentation;
Good production qualities (fidelity, aesthetically adequate);
Durability; and,
Cost.
Illustrations of book and nonbook materials should:
Depict instances of fully integrated grouping and settings to indicate equal status and nonsegregated social relationships.
Make clearly apparent the identity of minorities;
Contain pertinent and effective illustrations;
Flexible to enable the teacher to use parts at a time and not follow a comprehensive instructional program on a rigid frame of reference.
Special Features:
Bibliographies.
Glossary.
Current charts, maps, etc.
Visual aids.
Index.
Special activities to stimulate and challenge students.
Provide a variety of learning skills.
Potential use:
Will it meet the requirement of reference work?
Will it help students with personal problems and adjustments?
Will it serve as a source of information for teachers and librarians?
Does it offer an understanding of cultures other than the student's own and is it free of racial, religious, age, disability, ethnic, gender identity and sexual stereotypes?
Will it expand students' sphere of understanding and help them to understand the ideas and beliefs of others?
Will it help students and teachers keep abreast of and understand current events?
Will it foster and develop hobbies and special interest?
Will it help develop aesthetic tastes and appreciation?
Will it serve the needs of students with special needs?
Does it inspire learning?
Is it relevant to the subject?
Will it stimulate a student's interest?
Gifts of library or instructional materials may be accepted if the gift meets existing criteria for library and instructional materials. The acceptance and placement of such gifts is within the discretion of the board.
In order to provide a current, highly usable collection of materials, teacher-librarians will ensure constant and continuing renewal of the collection, not only the addition of up-to-date materials, but by the judicious elimination of materials which no longer meet school district needs or find use. The process of weeding instructional materials will be done according to established and accepted standards for determining the relevance and value of materials in a given context.
Approved: February 24, 2004
Reviewed: January 16, 2024
Revised: February 12, 2008
Legal Reference:
Cross Reference:
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Series 600
Policy Title: Instructional Materials Inspection Code No. 605.2
Parents and other members of the school district community may view the instructional and library materials used by the students. All instructional materials, including teacher's manuals, films, tapes or other supplementary material which will be used in connection with any survey, analysis, or evaluation as part of any federally funded programs must be available for inspection by parents.
Instructional and library materials may be viewed on school district premises.
The district will publish on the district’s website a comprehensive list of all books available to students in libraries operated by the school district.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations regarding the inspection of instructional materials.
Approved: February 24, 2004
Reviewed: January 16, 2024
Revised:
Legal Reference: Goals 2000: Educate America Act, Pub. L. No. 103-227, 108 Stat. 125 (1994); Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3, .14; 301 (2013); 281 I.A.C. 12.3(12)
Cross Reference: 602 Curriculum Development; 605 Instructional Materials; 901.1 Public Examination of School District Records
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Series 600
Policy Title: Objection to Instructional Materials Code No. 605.3
Members of the school district community may object to the instructional materials utilized in the school district and ask for their use to be reconsidered.
It is the responsibility of the Superintendent, in conjunction with the principals, to develop administrative regulations for reconsideration of instructional materials.
Approved: February 24, 2004
Reviewed: December 10, 2019
Revised: February 12, 2008
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3, .14; 301; 281 I.A.C. 12.3(12)
Cross Reference: 213 Public Participation in Board Meetings; 402.5 Public Complaints About Employees; 602 Curriculum Development; 605 Instructional Materials
Code No. 605.3E1
INSTRUCTIONS TO THE RECONSIDERATION COMMITTEE
The policy of this school district related to selection of learning materials states that any resident of the district may formally challenge instructional materials used in the district’s education program. This policy allows those persons in the school and the community who are not directly involved in the selection of materials to make their own opinions known. The task of the reconsideration committee is to provide an open forum for discussion of challenged materials and to make an informed recommendation on the challenge. The meetings of the committee may be subject to the open meetings law.
The most critical component of the reconsideration process is the establishment and maintenance of the committee’s credibility in the community. For this purpose, the committee is composed of community members. The community should not, therefore, infer that the Committee is biased or is obligated to uphold prior professional decisions. For this same reason, a community member will be selected to chair the committee.
The reconsideration process, the task of this committee, is just one part of the selection continuum. Material is purchased to meet a need. It is reviewed and examined, if possible, prior to purchase. It is periodically re-evaluated through updating, discarding, or re-examination. The committee must be ready to acknowledge that an error in selection may have been made despite this process. Librarians and school employees regularly read great numbers of reviews in the selection process, and occasional errors are possible.
In reconsidering challenged materials, the role of the committee, and particularly the chairperson, is to produce a climate for disagreement. The committee should begin by finding items of agreement, keeping in mind that the larger the group participating, the greater the amount of information available and, therefore, the greater the number of possible approaches to the problem.
If the complainant chooses, the complainant may make an oral presentation to the committee to expand and elaborate on the complaint. The committee will listen to the complainant, to those with special knowledge, and any other interested persons. In these discussions, the committee should be aware of relevant social pressures which are affecting the situation. Individuals who may try to dominate or impose a decision must not be allowed to do so. Minority viewpoints expressed by groups or individuals must be heard, and observers must be made to feel welcome. It is important that the committee create a calm, nonvolatile environment in which to deal with a potentially volatile situation. To this end, the complainant will be kept continuously informed of the progress of the complaint.
The committee will listen to the views of all interested persons before making recommendations. In deliberating its recommendation, the committee should remember that the school system must be responsive to the needs, tastes, and opinions of the community it serves. Therefore, the committee must distinguish between broad community sentiment and attempts to impose personal standards. The deliberations should concentrate on the appropriateness of the material. The question to be answered by the committee is, “Is the material appropriate for its designated audience at this time?”
The committee’s final recommendation will be (1) to remove the challenged material from the total school environment, (2) to take no removal action, or (3) to agree on a limitation of the educational use of the materials.
The committee chairperson will instruct the secretary to convey the committee’s recommendation to the office of the superintendent. The recommendation should detail the rationale on which it was based. A letter will be sent to the complainant outlining the outcome.
See pdf document
See pdf document
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Series 600
Administrative Regulation: Reconsideration of Instructional Materials Regulation Code No. 605.3R1
A member of the school district community may raise an objection to instructional materials used in the school district's education program. While the individuals recommending the selection of such material were duly qualified to make the selection and followed the proper procedure and observed the criteria for selecting such material; the district must be ready to acknowledge that an error in selection may have been made despite this process. School employees regularly read great numbers of reviews in the selection process, and occasional errors are possible.
The complainant will address the complaint at the lowest organizational level of licensed staff. Often this will be the classroom teacher.
The school official or employee receiving a complaint regarding instructional or library materials will try to resolve the issue at the lowest organizational level. The materials generally will remain in use pending the outcome of the reconsideration procedure.
The school official or employee initially receiving a complaint will explain to the individual the district's selection procedure, criteria to be met by the instructional materials, and qualifications of those persons selecting the material.
The school official or employee initially receiving a complaint will explain to the individual the role of the objected material in the education program, its intended educational purpose, and additional information regarding its use. In the alternative, the employee may refer the individual to the teacher-librarian who can identify and explain the use of the material.
The school official or employee receiving the initial complaint will direct the complainant to complete the Request for Reconsideration of Instructional and Library Materials Form, and notify the building level principal of receipt of the complaint within two school days after the reconsideration form is received. Schools officials will offer to assist the complainant in completing the form, but if a complainant refuses to complete the form, the complaint will be deemed invalid and no further action taken.
Request for Reconsideration
A member of the school district community may formally challenge instructional and library materials on the basis of appropriateness used in the school district's education program. This procedure is for the purpose of considering the opinions of those persons in the school district and the community who are not directly involved in the selection process.
Each attendance center and the school district's central administrative office will keep on hand and make available Request for Reconsideration of Instructional and Library Materials Forms.
The individual will state the specific reason the instructional or library material is being challenged. The Request for Reconsideration of Instructional and Library Materials Form is signed by the individual and filed with the building-level principal.
The building-level principal will promptly file the objection with the Superintendent for re-evaluation.
The Superintendent will convene a reconsideration committee within two weeks of receipt of the Reconsideration Form.
The committee will make their recommendation to the Superintendent within five school days of meeting.
The Superintendent will issue a decision related to the Reconsideration Request Form within 5 school days of receipt of the committee’s recommendation. A copy of the Superintendent’s decision will be provided to the complainant.
An appeal of the Superintendent’s decision may be filed with the board secretary within five days of the Superintendent’s decision. The board will determine whether to hear the appeal at the next regular meeting or within 30 days of the Superintendent’s decision, whichever is later. If the board elects to hear the appeal, the board will act to affirm, modify or reverse the decision of the Superintendent. The board’s decision will be communicated to the complainant. The board’s decision will be deemed final.
Generally, access to challenged instructional material will not be restricted during the reconsideration process. However, in unusual circumstances, the instructional material may be removed temporarily by following the provisions of Section B.10.d. of this rule.
The Reconsideration Committee
The reconsideration committee is made up of six members.
One licensed employee designated annually, as needed, by the superintendent.
One teacher-librarian designated annually by the superintendent.
One member of the administrative team designated annually by the superintendent.
Three members of the community appointed annually, as needed, by the board.
The committee will select their chairperson and secretary.
The committee will meet at the request of the superintendent.
Special meetings may be called by the board to consider temporary removal of materials in unusual circumstances. A recommendation for temporary removal will require a two-thirds vote of the committee.
The committee may be subject to applicable open meetings and public records laws. Notice of the committee meeting is made public through appropriate communication methods as required by law.
The committee will receive the completed Reconsideration Request Form from the superintendent.
The committee will determine its agenda for the meeting which may include the following:
Distribution of copies of the completed Reconsideration Request Form.
An opportunity for the individual or a group spokesperson to talk about or expand on the Reconsideration Request Form.
Distribution of reputable, professionally prepared reviews of the challenged instructional material if available.
Distribution of copies of the challenged instructional material as available.
The Committee will determine whether interested persons, including the individual filing the challenge, may have the opportunity to share their views. The committee may request that individuals with special knowledge be present to give information to the committee.
The committee's final recommendation may be to take no removal action, to remove the challenged material from the school environment, or to limit the educational use of the challenged material. The sole criterion for the final recommendation is the appropriateness of the material for its intended educational use. The written final recommendation and its justification are forwarded to the superintendent, the complainant and the appropriate attendance centers.
The individual filing the challenge is kept informed by the Superintendent of the status of the reconsideration request throughout the reconsideration process. The individual filing the challenge and known interested parties are given appropriate notice of meetings as required by law.
Following the superintendent’s decision with respect to the committee's recommendation, the individual may appeal the decision to the board for review.
A recommendation to sustain a challenge will not be interpreted as a judgment of irresponsibility on the part of the individuals involved in the original selection or use of the material.
Requests to reconsider materials which have previously been reconsidered by the committee must receive approval of two-thirds of the committee members before the materials will again be reconsidered.
If necessary or appropriate in the judgment of the committee, the committee may consolidate related challenges, or decline to hear multiple challenges to the same materials. Generally, the committee will not hear subsequent challenges to the same materials within the same school year.
Revision Date: January 16, 2024
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Series 600
Policy Title: Technology and Instructional Materials Code No. 605.4
The Board supports the use of innovative methods and the use of technology in the delivery of the education program. The Board encourages employees to investigate economical ways to utilize multi-media, computers, and other technologies as a part of the curriculum.
It is the responsibility of the Superintendent to develop a plan for the use of technology in the curriculum and to evaluate it annually. The Superintendent will report the results of the evaluation and make a recommendation to the Board annually regarding the use of technology in the curriculum.
Approved: February 24, 2004
Reviewed: December 10, 2019
Revised: February 12, 2008
Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 279.8; 281 I.A.C. 12.3(12), 12.5(4), .5(10)
Cross Reference: 602 Curriculum Development; 605 Instructional Materials
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Series 600
Policy Title: School Library Code No. 605.5
The School 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 to develop procedures for 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.
Approved: February 24, 2004
Reviewed: December 10, 2019
Revised: February 12, 2008
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 256.7(24); 279.8; 280.14; 301; 281 I.A.C. 12.3(11), (12)
Cross Reference: 602 Curriculum Development; 605 Instructional Materials
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Series 600
Policy Title: Student Acceptable Use Code No. 605.6
Because technology is a vital part of the school district curriculum, the Internet will be made available to employees and students. Appropriate and equitable use of the Internet will allow employees and students to access resources unavailable through traditional means. Individual student accounts and email addresses will be issued to students, however, the district may limit use for particular grade levels or groups of students. These accounts are property of the school district and may be monitored regardless of the ownership of device they are used on. Technology for educational use will be provided to students. Personal devices must follow school handbook regulations and should not be used in lieu of the school issued device.
The Internet provides a vast collection of educational resources for students and employees. It is a global network which makes it impossible to control all available information. Because information appears, disappears and changes constantly, it is not possible to predict or control what students may locate. The school district makes no guarantees as to the accuracy of information received on the Internet.
Students’ Internet activities, including email, will be monitored by the school district. The school district will use technology protection measures to protect students, to the extent technically and reasonably possible, from inappropriate access, including sites that contain obscenity, child pornography, or other material harmful to minors. The technology protection measures will block access to a large percentage of inappropriate sites; however, it should not be assumed that users are completely prevented from accessing inappropriate materials or from sending or receiving objectionable communications. Student Internet records and access records are confidential records treated like other student records.
Even if students have not been given access, they may still be exposed to information from the district’s computers, computer network, and/or the internet in guided curricular activities at the discretion of their teachers.
The school district will educate students about appropriate online behavior, including interacting on social networking sites and chat rooms. Students will also be educated on cyberbullying, including awareness and response. Employees will provide age appropriate training for students who use the Internet. The training provided will be designed to promote the school district’s commitment to:
It is the policy of the Oskaloosa School District to prevent unauthorized online disclosure, use, or dissemination of personal identification information of minors.
The district takes precautions to avoid data loss, but the potential for loss always exists. No warranties, expressed or implied, are made by the school district for its computer technology and internet access and the district will not be responsible for any damages including, but not limited to, the loss of data, delays, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries or service interruptions caused by negligence or omission. If a student has issues with delays, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries for assignments, they should first consult their instructor to present proof of submission. If questions/concerns still arise, the student may appeal to the building principal to put together a plan for submission.
Any risk and/or damages resulting from information obtained from the district’s computers, network, and/or internet access is assumed by and is the responsibility of the user.
When using district-supplied technology resources, individuals agree to abide by all policies and procedures adopted by the Oskaloosa Community School District as well as all current federal, state, and local laws. These include district policies and procedures against harassment, plagiarism, and unethical conduct; as well as local, state and federal laws prohibiting theft, copyright infringement, insertion of viruses into computer systems, vandalism, and other unlawful intrusions. In the event of violation of any these policies, procedures or laws, current district disciplinary policies and practices will be followed, including those regulating the provision of information to law enforcement authorities. Internet privileges may be restricted due to disciplinary policies.
Student expectations:
Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Notification Statement
Parents/guardians of school-aged children under the age of 13:
Our district utilizes several computer applications and web-based services, operated by third parties. These include Google Apps for Education, online curriculum resources, district, state and national assessments and similar educational programs. A list of possible sites and programs used in our classrooms can be found on our district website. Web-based educational programs and services may be added during the upcoming academic year as needed.
In order for our students to use these programs and services, certain personal identifying information - generally the student’s name and school email address - must be provided to the website operator. By law, the operator may only use this information for educational purposes. Under federal law entitled the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), these websites must provide parental notification and obtain parental consent before collecting personal information from children under the age of 13. The law permits district/schools such as ours to consent to the collection of personal information on behalf of all its students, thereby eliminating the need for individual parental consent given directly to the website operator.
For more information on the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), please visit http://www.ftc.gov/privacy/coppafaqs.shtm
Approved: April 25, 2000
Reviewed: March 9, 2021
Revised: January 12, 2021
Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 279.8 (2013).
Cross Reference: 104 Anti-Bullying/Harassment; 502 Student Rights and Responsibilities; 506 Student Records; 605.5 School Library
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Series 600
Administrative Regulation: Internet – Appropriate Use Regulation Code No. 605.6R1
A collection of more than 20,000 interconnected computer networks involving an estimated 1.5 million computers and 25 million users around the world. It is a collaboration of private, public, educational, governmental, and industrial sponsored networks whose operators cooperate to maintain the network infrastructure.
Students who access restricted items on the Internet are subject to the appropriate action described in Board policy or regulations or the following consequences:
Approved: February 24, 2004
Reviewed: December 10, 2019
Revised:
Legal Reference:
Cross Reference:
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Series 600
Policy Title: Use of Information Resources Code No. 605.7
In order for students to experience a diverse curriculum, the Board encourages to supplement their regular curricular material 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 proper use of supplementary materials, it is the responsibility of employees to abide by the School District’s copying procedures and obey the requirement 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 student 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 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 Curriculum Director, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.
Approved: February 12, 2008
Reviewed: December 10, 2019
Revised: December 8, 2014
Legal References: 17 U.S.C. § 101 et al.; 281 I.A.C. 12.3(12)
Cross References: 605.6 Internet Appropriate Use
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Series 600
Administrative Regulation: Use of Information Resources Code No. 605.7R1
Employees and students may make copies of copyrighted materials that fall within the following guidelines. Where there is reason to believe the material to be copied does not fall within these guidelines, prior permission shall be obtained from the publisher or producer with the assistance of the principal, teacher, or teacher-librarian. Employees and students who fail to follow this procedure may be held personally liable for copyright infringement and may be subject to discipline by the Board.
Under the “fair use” doctrine, unauthorized reproduction of copyrighted materials is permissible for such purpose as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. Under the "fair use" doctrine, each of the following four standards must be met in order to use the copyrighted document:
Authorized Reproduction and Use of Copyrighted Material Reminders:
In preparing for instruction, a teacher may make or have made a single copy of:
A teacher may make multiple copies not exceeding more than one per pupil, for classroom use or discussion, if the copying meets the tests of “brevity, spontaneity, and cumulative effect” set by the following guidelines. Each copy must include a notice of copyright.
Copying Limitations
Circumstances will arise when employees are uncertain whether or not copying is prohibited. In those circumstances, the principal, teacher, or teacher-librarian should be contacted. The following prohibitions have been expressly stated in federal guidelines:
Authorized Reproduction and Use of Copyrighted Materials in the Library
A library may make a single copy or three digital copies of:
A library may provide a single copy of copyrighted material to a student or employee at no more than the actual cost of photocopying. The copy must be limited to one article of a periodical issue or a small part of other material, unless the library finds that the copyrighted work cannot be obtained elsewhere at a fair price. In the latter circumstances, the entire work may be copied. In any case, the copy shall contain the notice of copyright and the student or staff member shall be notified that the copy is to be used only for private study, scholarship, or research. Any other use may subject the person to liability for copyright infringement.
Authorized Reproduction and Use of Copyrighted Music or Dramatic Works
Teachers may:
Performance by teachers or students of copyrighted musical or dramatic works is permitted without the authorization of the copyright owner as part of a teaching activity in a classroom or instructional setting. The purpose shall be instructional rather than for entertainment.
Performances of non-dramatic musical works that are copyrighted are permitted without the authorization of the copyright owner, provided that:
All other musical and dramatic performances require permission from the copyright owner. Parents or others wishing to record a performance should check with the sponsor to ensure compliance with copyright.
Recording of Copyrighted Programs
Television programs, excluding news programs, transmitted by commercial and non-commercial television stations for reception by the general public without charge may be recorded off-air simultaneously with broadcast transmission (including simultaneous cable retransmission) and retained by a school for a period not to exceed the first forty-five (45) consecutive calendar days after date of recording. Upon conclusion of this retention period, all off-air recordings must be erased or destroyed immediately. Certain programming such as that provided on public television may be exempt from this provision; check with the principal or the subscription database, e.g. unitedstreaming.
Off-air recording may be used once by an individual teacher in the course of instructional activities, and repeated once only when reinforcement is necessary, within a building, during the first 10 consecutive school days, excluding scheduled interruptions, in the 45 calendar day retention period. Off-air recordings may be made only at the request of and used by individual teachers, and may not be regularly recorded in anticipation of requests. No broadcast program may be recorded off-air more than once at the request of the same teacher, regardless of the number of times the program may be broadcast. A limited number of copies may be reproduced from each off-air recording to meet the legitimate needs of teachers. Each additional copy shall be subject to all provisions governing the original recording.
After the first ten consecutive school days, off-air recordings may be used up to the end of the 45 calendar day retention period only for evaluation purposes, i.e., to determine whether or not to include the broadcast program in the teaching curriculum. Permission must be secured from the publisher before the recording can be used for instructional purposes after the 10 day period.
Off-air recordings need not be used in their entirety, but the recorded programs may not be altered from their original content. Off-air recordings may not be physically or electronically combined or merged to constitute teaching anthologies or compilations. All copies of off-air recordings must include the copyright notice on the broadcast program as recorded.
Authorized Reproduction and Use of Copyrighted Computer Software
Schools have a valid need for high-quality software at reasonable prices. To assure a fair return to the authors of software programs, the school district shall support the legal and ethical issues involved in copyright laws and any usage agreements that are incorporated into the acquisition of software programs. To this end, the following guidelines shall be in effect:
Fair Use Guidelines for Educational Multimedia
Students may incorporate portions of copyrighted materials in producing educational multimedia projects such as videos, Power Points, podcasts, and web sites for a specific course, and may perform, display, or retain the projects.
Educators may perform or display their own multimedia projects to students in support of curriculum-based instructional activities. These projects may be used:
Educators may use copyrighted materials in a multimedia project for two years, after that permission must be requested and received.
The following limitations restrict the portion of any given work that may be used pursuant of fair use in an educational multimedia project:
Fair use does not include posting a student or teacher’s work on the Internet if it includes portions of copyrighted materials. Permission to copy shall be obtained from the original copyright holder(s) before such projects are placed online. The opening screen of such presentations shall include notice that permission was granted and materials are restricted from further use.
Approved: February 12, 2008
Reviewed: December 10, 2019
Revised: