Supplemental Resource Considerations & Guide

Supplemental Resource Considerations & Guide

The goal of this document is to provide teachers with considerations and a guide for the selection of supplemental instructional materials aligned to Policy 2521 Selection of Instructional Materials and Equipment. This guide supports our instructional staff's professional judgment and discretion based on their post-secondary training and experiences. A “supplemental resource” is a resource that is selected at the classroom level for instructional
purposes.

Considerations to guide a teacher in the selection of supplemental material:

• Resources should clearly align with the District’s established educational objectives and standards
• Resources should be appropriate for the age, emotional development, ability level and social development of the students for whom the materials will be used
  • Considerations to make determinations regarding the above listed factors could include:
    • Lexile level of the text being used
    • Student interest and engagement
    •  Publisher’s guide for age/grade level
    •  Consultation with a library media specialist
•  Consideration of student accessibility to the resource:
  • Technology function
  • FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act), & copyright laws
• Resources should support and align with the District’s Mega Result, goals, and policies including, but not limited to, Policy 2521 Selection of Instructional Materials and Equipment
•  Policy 2240 Controversial Issues in the Classroom should be used to guide resource selection for lessons that align with controversial issues as defined in the Board policy.

Instructors should also keep the following in mind:

• The chronological and emotional maturity of the students;
• The appropriateness and timeliness of the issue as it relates to the course and the students;
• The extent to which they can successfully handle the issue from a personal standpoint;
• The amount of time needed and available to examine the issue fairly, and;
• The Board recognizes that a course of study or certain instructional materials may contain content and/or activities that some parents find objectionable. If after careful, personal review of the program lessons and/or materials, a parent indicates to the school that either content or activities conflict with his/her religious beliefs or value system, the school will honor a written request for his/her child to be excused from particular classes for specified reasons. The student, however, will not be excused from participating in the course or activities mandated by the State and will be provided alternative learning activities during times of parent requested absences. (Policy 2240)

Steps to follow:

• Consult the consideration guide and Board policies.
• Read, review, and/or preview the resource in its entirety. If it is an activity, complete the entire activity yourself before having students participate in the activity.
• Know and be able to provide your rationale for the resource selection: the “why.” How does it align with and advance learning connected to standards and curriculum in both content and pedagogy?
• If it is a video, consider embedding it into slides to eliminate advertisements.
• Know who to consult with if you are unsure of the appropriateness of the resource: colleagues, media specialists, instructional/technology coaches/specialists, administrators, directors, and/ or trusted parent/community members.

Additional Helpful Resources