Manchester School District Guidelines for Selection of Materials
I. Definition of instructional materials.
A. Classroom instructional materials include print and non-print materials obtained primarily for use with classes, courses, grades, and particular student groups.
B. Library media center materials include print and non-print materials for general use by students and school personnel.
C. Technological instructional materials include, but are not limited to, computer software, related peripheral devices, CD-ROM, DVD , video-disc, television, data bases and on-line resources for general use by students and school personnel.
II. Objectives of selection.
A. To provide materials and information that will implement, enrich and support the curriculum, taking into consideration individual needs, varied interests, abilities and maturity levels of the pupils served. B. To provide materials and information that will stimulate growth in factual knowledge, literary appreciation, aesthetic values and ethical standards, C. To provide materials which will stimulate reading and the desire to learn. D. To provide a background of information which will help pupils to make intelligent judgments in their daily lives, E. To provide a background of information on many sides of controversial issues so that young citizens may develop, under guidance, the practice of critical analysis. F. To provide materials which will help students gain an awareness and understanding of the contributions to our heritage made by both sexes and by the various religions and cultures of the world. G. To provide materials that will meet the needs of the professional staffs in fulfilling the schools' educational objectives. H. To place principle above Personal opinion and reason above prejudice in the selection of materials to assure a comprehensive collection. I. To provide technological instructional materials which meet the NETS (National Educational Technology Standards).
III. Responsibility for Selection
The Manchester Board of School Committee is legally responsible for all matters relating to the operation of the Manchester Public Schools.
A. The responsibility for the selection of instructional materials is delegated to the professionally-trained personnel employed by the school system. Selection of materials may involve the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, principals, supervisors, directors, building level instructional coordinators, guidance personnel, teachers, library media professionals, and other support specialists. B. The responsibility for coordinating the selection of instructional materials for the library media center and resource centers and making the recommendation for purchase rests with the professionally- trained media personnel. The responsibility for coordinating the selection for textbooks rests with the instructional unit, which is defined as teachers, building level instructional coordinators, and principal at the senior high school level; teachers in departments and principal at the junior high school level; teachers and principals at the elementary school level. System-wide selections would abide by the Agreement between the Board of School Committee and the Manchester Education Association. IV. Criteria for selection.
The needs of the individual school, based on knowledge of the curriculum, is given first consideration. These are determined by reviewing teacher and student requirements and by evaluating the existing collection.
The following criteria, in general, are the bases for the selection of materials:
• general suitability to educational objectives
• timeliness and/or permanence
• importance of the subject matter
• quality of the writing or production
• appropriateness to the needs of the student
• authoritativeness and authenticity
• reputation of the publisher or producer
• reputation and significance of the author, artist, or composer
• format and price
• contribution to the development of a comprehensive collection
V. Procedures for selection.
In selecting materials for purchase, the staff members evaluate the existing classroom and library media center collections, consider requests from faculty and students, and consult each other along with reputable, unbiased, professionally-prepared selection aids.
A. In specific circumstances
1. Worn or missing standard items are replaced periodically and out-of-date or no longer useful materials are withdrawn from the collection. 2. Materials acquired by subscription are purchased to fill a diversity of needs. 3. Multiple items of outstanding and much-in-demand media are purchased as needed. 4. Gift materials are judged by the above selection criteria. 5. All materials are obtained in compliance with existing copyright laws.
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