TDS - Media Selection Policy

General Media Selection Policy

Resources should fit the following objectives/criteria:

educational significance
contribution the subject matter makes to the curriculum and to the interests of the students
favorable reviews found in standard selection sources
favorable recommendations based on preview and examination of materials by professional personnel
reputation and significance of the author, producer, and publisher
validity, currency, and appropriates of material
contribution the material makes to breadth of representative viewpoints on controversial issues
high degree of potential user appeal
high artistic quality and/or literary style
quality and variety of format
value commensurate with cost and/or need
timeliness or permanence
integrity

The following criteria will be used as they apply:

Learning resources shall support and be consistent with the general educational goals of the state and district and the aims and objectives of individual schools and specific courses.
Learning resources shall meet high standards of quality in factual content and presentation.
Learning resources shall be appropriate for the subject area and for the age, emotional development, ability level, learning styles, and social development of the students for whom the materials are selected.
Physical format and appearance of learning resources shall be suitable for their intended use.
Learning resources shall be designed to help students gain an awareness of our pluralistic society.
Learning resources shall be designed to motivate students and staff to examine their own duties, responsibilities, rights, and privileges as participating citizens in our society, and to make informed judgments in their daily lives.
Learning resources shall be selected for their strengths rather than rejected for their weaknesses.
The selection of learning resources on controversial issues will be directed toward maintaining a diverse collection representing various views.
Learning resources shall clarify historical and contemporary forces by presenting and analyzing intergroup tension and conflict objectively, placing emphasis on recognizing and understanding social and economic problems.

The following recommended lists shall be consulted in the selection of materials, but selection is not limited to their listings: