Reconsideration Policy & Procedure

Re-Evaluation of Instructional Materials

In an effort to inform the community, parents will be allowed to browse the technology
available during open house and conference weeks. At any time, a parent will be
provided a written explanation as to the content connection and student usability. Since
objection to instructional materials may occasionally arise, each principal shall review
the selection and re-evaluation procedures with all staff members annually. When
challenges occur, the procedures listed below shall be followed in the order stated:
1.

Persons requesting re-evaluation of any instructional materials shall complete the

APPEAL FORM FOR RE-EVALUATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS (Appendix D-1). If

written documentation of the complaint is not filed, no further steps will be taken for
reconsideration.
2.

The school official or staff member receiving the complaint shall explain the

selection process utilized and the appeal procedures used for the challenged materials.
Written documentation of the contact shall be filed with the school principal.
3.

In the event that the person making an objection to the material is not satisfied

with the initial explanation, the person should be referred to the principal who shall
explain the selection and re-evaluation process and make reasonable efforts to resolve
the issue. If, after consultation, the complainant desires to file a formal complaint, the
complete copy of the APPEAL FORM FOR RE-EVALUATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL
MATERIALS shall be filed with principal and a copy forwarded to the system instructional
technology/media coordinator.
4.

The challenged material shall remain in circulation records until the request for re-

evaluation is processed and a final decision is reached by the technology committee.

All application of the challenged material will be held on reserve for the purpose of
examination by the technology committee.
5.

Each technology committee member shall examine the challenged material in its

entirety. The following items shall be considered by the committee in the evaluation
process:
a.

Professional reviews;

b.

Age and maturity level of students;

c.

Theme of material;

d.

Intended us of the material;

e.

Literary merit;

f.

Contribution of the material in presenting different point of view;

g.

Application as a whole rather than out of context; and

h.

Other considerations applicable to the situation.

6.

A meeting will be scheduled with the media committee within ten (10) working

days. The complainant shall be notified in writing of the meeting and invited to attend.
The challenged materials shall be discussed in its relationship to the goals and
objectives of the school and the curriculum. The complainant may make an oral
presentation in support of his/her request for reconsideration of materials. The
presentation shall be limited to a maximum of ten minutes. Upon completion of the
presentation, the complainant shall leave in order to permit the committee to deliberate
in private.
7.

After careful deliberation, the committee shall make a decision by individual secret

ballot. The ballots shall be tallied immediately in the presence of the committee.
8.

The technology committee shall prepare a written report concerning the decision of

the committee. This report is to be filed with the principal and the system media
contact person (Appendix D-2).
9.

The principal shall notify the complainant in writing of the decision of the media

committee within five (5) working days. A copy of the letter shall be sent to the system
instructional technology/media coordinator.
10.

If the complainant is not satisfied with the decision of the school technology

committee, he or she may appeal in writing to the system instructional

technology/media coordinator within ten (10) working days of receiving formal
notification of the decision.
11.

The system technology committee shall review the challenged material using the

same procedures as those directed to the school technology committee.

12.

Appeal beyond the system technology committee shall be directed to the

Superintendent and the Board of Education. Such appeals shall be made in writing
within ten (10) working days of receiving formal notification of the system technology
committees decision.
13.

Except for clearly documented extenuating circumstances, the technology

committee will re-evaluate a specific material no more than once in any given school
year.

Reconsideration Procedure for handling challenges: this should be a sequential list

of steps.
Form for challengers to fill out
Form for committee to complete during re-evaluation

Reconsideration Policy adopted and adapted from Paulding County

School Districts current reconsideration policy.

Exhibit
Code: IFA~E
Instructional Materials

Descriptor

Appendix D-1
APPEAL FORM FOR RE-EVALUATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
Paulding County School District
School: ____________________________________________________________ Date Initiated:
____________________________
Initiated By: ______________________________________________________ Phone:
____________________________________
Address:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
__________________
City/State/Zip:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
___________
Patron Represents: Self: ________Organization/Group: ________
Organization/Group (if any): ______________________________________________

Material Questioned:

eLearning Mobile app: ________

Web 2.0

app: ________
Other (Please specify):
________________________________________________________
Title:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________

Author/Producer: ___________________________________________ Copyright Date:

_______________________________

Please respond to the following questions. Please use additional paper if sufficient
space is not provided.
1. What brought this material to your attention? (review list, word of mouth, etc.)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________
2. Have you seen or interacted with this material in its entirety?
_________________________________________
3. State objections you have to the material. Please cite specific evidence.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

4. What good features do you identify?

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________
5. What do you believe is the main idea of this material?
__________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________
6. What do you feel might result from use of this material?
_______________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________

7. What reviews of this material have you read? (Please be specific giving name of
publication, issue, and page.)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
__________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________
8. For what age group might this material be suitable?
____________________________________________________
9. What request do you make for this material?
( ) Withdraw it from all students.
( ) Withdraw it from student under the age of __________.
( ) Place on reserve status to be used only with written parental permission.
10. In the place of this material, please recommend other material which you
consider to be of equal or superior quality for the educational purposes intended.
_______________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________

Signature: __________________________________________________________________ Date:

_____________________________

Exhibit
Code: IFA~E
Instructional Materials

Descriptor

Appendix D-2
REPORT OF RE-EVALUATION COMMITTEE
Paulding County School District
School: ___________________________________________________________________ Date:
_______________________________
Address:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
___________________
City/State/Zip:
______________________________________________________________________________
__________________

Title: _______________________________________________________________ Format:

__________________________________
Author/Producer: _______________________________________________ Copyright Date:
___________________________
Committee Members:
Name
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________

Position

____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________

Findings of Fact:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
__________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________
Decision:
______________________________________________________________________________
_________________________

ISSUED: August 24, 2001

PAULDING COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION