Background

The Superintendent believes in providing a wide range of learning resource materials at varying levels of difficulty, with diversity of appeal, and which present different points of view to meet the curricular and non-curricular needs of students and staff.

The Superintendent believes the selection of appropriate materials is a professional activity, most appropriately carried out by the members of the teaching staff.

The Superintendent also believes the selection may be based on community standards, local context, demographic, student ability and their level of readiness.

Definition

Learning Resources will refer to any person(s) or any material (whether acquired or locally produced) with instructional content or function that is used for formal or informal teaching/learning purposes during instructional time. Learning Resources include print and online materials.

Procedures

1. The Division seeks to provide a wide range of learning resources with diversity of appeal and the presentation of different points of view to meet the needs of Division students.
2. The primary objective of learning resource selection is to support, implement and enrich the curriculum through the provision of appropriate instructional materials for students and teachers.
3. It is the responsibility of the teaching staff to provide students with learning resources that are appropriate to the needs, interests, and abilities of learners. The Principal is responsible for all resources used in the instructional process within the school.
4. Objectives of Selection
   1. In selecting resource materials for students and teachers, consideration will be made to include a wide variety of educationally appropriate materials which will provide for a range of teaching and learning styles.
   2. While resources are selected to support education programs and curricula, it is not intended that specific resources be referenced to curriculum organizers; rather, it is expected that users will select resources to suit their particular educational needs and audience.
   3. All usages of materials will involve the teacher as the facilitator of learning as necessary; students will have some choice in materials selection for specific purposes, such as independent reading or research.
   4. It is not expected that any single resource will be sufficient to teach a course; rather, a multimedia approach is encouraged which integrates materials from different packages and media.
5. Challenged Learning Resource Materials
   1. Division residents or staff members may challenge learning resource materials used in the Division. Thereby, the opinion of those members of the community not involved in the selection process may be considered.
6. Guiding Principles
   1. Responsibility for the selection of materials (other than those materials recommended by Alberta Education) ultimately rests with the Superintendent.
   2. No parent/guardian has the right to determine reading, viewing, or listening matter for students other than for his/her children.
   3. The major criteria for the final decision shall be the age and developmental appropriateness, reliability and bias, as well as the cultural and societal diversity of the material for its intended use.
   4. Access to challenged materials may not be restricted during the reconsideration process.
   5. The decision to sustain a challenge shall not necessarily be interpreted as a judgment of irresponsibility on the part of the professionals involved in the original selection and/or use of learning resources/materials.
7. Request for Formal Reconsideration
   1. The completed "Request for Reconsideration of a Learning Resource" form shall be forwarded to the Superintendent or designate.