Video Use in the Classroom

Teachers should use the following guidelines to determine how and when to use videos in instruction.

School Board Regulation Code: 3200-R (formerly IFA-P) Selection of Instructional Materials/Educational Resources states:

"The use of video in the classroom should be:

1. Largely limited to those owned or subscribed to by the school, or that are otherwise approved by the administration. 

2. Used to support objectives in the Common Core State Standards and the North Carolina Essential Standards.

3. Shown as brief clips for discussion or illustration.

4. Shown in entirety only when the educational value is clearly merited and approved by administration.

5.   In alignment with other principles established in this procedure."

Instructional Objectives

• The video content must support the North Carolina Standard Course of Study (NCSCOS).

• The video content must have a connection to the particular curriculum of the specific class in which the video will be shown.

• As a rule, teachers should use appropriate excerpts rather than showing an entire video.

• Teachers should plan preliminary and follow-up activities to enhance the curricular connection.

• Teachers should get approval from administrators for use of a full-length movie

  • • • Video Prior Approval Form

Administrative Approval, Parental Permission, and Age Requirements

• The teacher must use the Motion Picture Association of America’s (“MPAA”) ratings in selecting age-appropriate videos.

• No video with a rating of “X” or “NC-17” may be shown in any school.

• “R” rated videos may not be shown in elementary or middle schools.

• “PG-13” rated videos may not be shown in elementary schools.

• Before showing a PG rated movie in elementary schools, PG-13 rated video in middle schools or an R-rated video in high schools, the teacher must:

  • • • Have approval from the principal or principals designee, and

      • Have a signed permission slip from the student’s parent or guardian.

        • • Video Parent Permission Form

• Alternative activities must be available for any student whose parent denies permission or does not sign the permission form.

• For a non-rated video that addresses sensitive or controversial topics or that contains profanity, or depicts violence, sexually explicit behavior or drug use, the teacher must secure permission from the principal and permission from the student’s parent or guardian prior to allowing the student to view the video.