Procedures to ReEvaluate Materials
Any person reviewing challenged materials should be familiar with:
The district's selection policy
The individual school's selection policy
"Library Bill of Rights"*
"Access to Resources and Services in the School Library Media Program: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights*
"Statement on Labeling: An Interpretation of the Library Bill
of Rights"*
"Evaluating Library Collections: An Interpretation of the
Library Bill of Rights"*
"Freedom to Read Statement," by the ALA Council**Copies of each are found in the online media specialists handbook.
In all cases, where materials being used in a school are challenged, they should be challenged at the level where the materials are being used, and referred to the Superintendent and Board only if the citizen is not satisfied with the handling at the local level. Refer to Board Policy 4.65.
When a citizen wishes to question materials or text content, the "Citizens' Request" form is available in the media specialists handbook. (Form adapted from the Davies-Brockell Media Selection Policy and the National Council of Teachers of English).
This form must be filled out and turned in to the principal of the school where the materials are being challenged.
The principal and a committee as stated in policy IIA-G will review the materials using the appropriate form as applicable (in Media Specialist Handbook).
For the principal's guidance, the following is the recommended procedure:
1. The school personnel involved will be courteous to the complainant, but make no commitment; he will advise the complainant to make an appointment with the principal, and notify the principal of the complaint.
2. It is the complainant's responsibility to make an appointment with the principal.
3. At this conference, the principal invites the complainant to make his objections in writing, using the "Citizen's Request for Re-Evaluation of Materials" form.
4. If the complainant does not complete and return the form, the matter will be given no further consideration.
5. Upon receipt of the completed form, the principal will appoint a committee to re-evaluate the materials and report back within 15 working days; will notify (1) Superintendent and (2) the Director of Learning Resources.
6. The committee takes the following steps:
a. Reads the entire book, views or listens to the entire material.
b. Checks general acceptance by checking reviews, recommended lists.
c. Determines the extent to which the material supports the curriculum.
d. Completes the appropriate checklist evaluating the materials as a whole, and not in its parts.
7. Upon receipt of the checklist, the principal makes a decision as to the action to be taken and notifies (1) the Superintendent, (2) the Director of Learning Resources, and (3) the complainant. If there is need for further review, the principal refers complainant to the Superintendent or his designated representative and forwards all pertinent documents.
The Superintendent may accept the recommendation of the school committee, or if further action is desired, appoint a district level Media Review Committee* which is representative of the entire district.
This district committee will follow the same procedure as for school committees.
At the completion of their evaluations, they will report back to the Superintendent who will present the report to the School Board and make recommendations for action.
The final decision will be made by the School Board.
*People to be considered for Review Committees (school or district):
School media specialists
Experts in the field up for review (i.e., doctors, policemen, university professors)
Teachers of the subject area
Parents or lay citizens with knowledge or interest in the subject
Students at the appropriate age level
