KEC: PUBLIC COMPLAINTS
ABOUT THE CURRICULUM OR
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
The School Committee, though it is
ultimately responsible for all curriculum and instructional materials (including
library books), recognizes the need and right of students to free access to many
different types of books and materials. It also recognizes the right of the
professional staff to select books and other materials supportive of the school
system's educational philosophy and goals.
Criticism of a book or other materials
used in the schools may be expected from time to time. In such
instances:
1. If a
parent requests that his/her own child not read a given book, the teacher and/or
school administrator should resolve the situation, perhaps by arranging for use
of alternative material meeting essentially the same instructional purpose.
This does not apply, however, to basic program texts and materials that the
Committee has adopted.
2. The
Committee will not permit any individual or group to exercise censorship over
instructional materials and library collections, but recognizes that at times a
reevaluation of certain material may be desirable. Should an individual or
group ask to have any book or other material withdrawn from school
use:
a. The
person who objects to the book or other material will be asked to sign a
complaint on a standard form on which he/she will document his
criticism.
b.
Following receipt of the formal complaint, the Superintendent will provide for a
reevaluation of the material in question, he/she will arrange for the
appointment of a review committee from among the faculty to consider the
complaint.
c.
The Superintendent will review the complaint and the committee's reevaluation
and will render a decision in the matter. Should the decision be unsatisfactory
to the complainant, he/she may appeal it to the Committee.
In summary, the Committee assumes final
responsibility for all books and instructional materials it makes available to
students; it holds its professional staff accountable for their proper
selection. It recognizes rights of individual parents with respect to
controversial materials used by their own children; it will provide for the
reevaluation of materials in library collections upon formal request. On the
other hand, students' right to learn and the freedom of teachers to teach will
be respected.
SOURCE: MASC
LEGAL REFS.: M.G.L.
76:5
CROSS REFS.: IJ,
Instructional Materials
IJJ, Selection and Adoption of Textbooks
IJL, Selection and Adoption of Library Materials
A copy of the form on
which citizens request reconsideration of materials is often included under code
KLB-E.
Adopted on: April 24,
2008