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HCPSS / POLICIES

Policy 8040 – Selection of Instructional Resources

The purpose of this policy is to establish procedures and criteria for the evaluation, selection, and review of instructional resources for use in the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS).

Policy Document

Implementation Procedures

I. Policy Value Statement

The Board of Education of Howard County (Board) recognizes its responsibility for the selection and acquisition of instructional resources, based on the Superintendent’s recommendation, in accordance with current federal and state law, COMAR, and established Board policies. The Board further recognizes that the instructional resources will provide content that aligns with local, state, and national curriculum standards, maintains educational excellence, nurtures student cognitive, social and emotional well-being, and affirms student identity and experiences.

II. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to establish procedures and criteria for the evaluation, selection, and review of instructional resources for use in the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS).

III. Standards

  1. All approved curriculum instructional resources for use by students will be selected consistent with HCPSS established procedures and selection criteria.

  2. All supplemental curriculum, teacher-selected, and teacher-created instructional resources for use by students will comply with HCPSS selection criteria.

  3. The HCPSS selection criteria requires that all approved curriculum, supplemental curriculum, teacher-selected, and teacher-created instructional resources are:

    1. Aligned to the HCPSS curriculum.

    2. Designated age appropriate for the students for which the resources will be used.

    3. Representative and respectful of the pluralistic nature and diversity of the Howard County community and global society, as outlined in Policy 1080 Educational Equity.

    4. Of high quality content and instructional methodologies.

    5. Reflective of diverse perspectives and points of view, as outlined in the implementation procedures for Policy 8050 Teaching of Controversial Issues.

    6. Compliant with The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment.

    7. Compliant with HCPSS hardware, software, learning management system, and network standards to ensure optimum performance of electronic, digital, and web-based instruction.

    8. Compliant with federal and state laws regarding data privacy, copyright, and accessibility for all students.

    9. Adheres to the following guidance for rated motion pictures:

      1. High School – PG-13, PG, G

      2. Middle School – PG, G

      3. Grades 4-5 – PG, G

      4. Grades PreK-3 – G

  4. HCPSS employees will define a process to solicit stakeholder feedback on proposed resources for the list of approved curriculum instructional resources.

  5. HCPSS employees will define how Curricular/Program Advisory Committees are utilized in the selection process for proposed additions to the approved curriculum instructional resources list.

  6. The media center purchasing sources will be used to select library media center collection resources.

  7. HCPSS employees will define a process for reevaluation of approved curriculum instructional resources and library media center collection resources.

  8. HCPSS employees will define a process for reevaluation of supplemental curriculum, teacher-selected, and teacher-created instructional resources.

IV. Responsibilities

  1. The Superintendent/designee will oversee the selection of instructional resources that align with the vision and goals of the HCPSS.

  2. The Superintendent/designee will annually provide any recommended revisions to the approved curriculum instructional resources to the Board for approval.

  3. The Superintendent/designee will annually notify the public of this policy and of upcoming committee appointments via school system communication.

  4. The Superintendent/designee will annually notify HCPSS employees of this policy to ensure that employees selecting and using instructional resources, including audio/visual materials, follow HCPSS selection criteria and procedures.

  5. The Superintendent/designee will ensure the essential and supplemental digital tools are posted annually on the HCPSS website.

  6. Curricular/program area supervisors will ensure resources recommended for the approved curriculum instructional resources list and all supplemental curriculum instructional resources are consistent with HCPSS selection criteria.

  7. Principals will ensure that all instructional resources, including teacher-selected and teacher-created instructional resources, used in their schools, are consistent with HCPSS selection criteria.

  8. Teachers will ensure that all instructional resources, including teacher-selected and teacher-created instructional resources, used in their classrooms, are consistent with HCPSS selection criteria.

  9. HCPSS employees using instructional resources will ensure that all HCPSS selection criteria have been observed.

V. Delegation of Authority

The Superintendent is authorized to develop procedures for implementing this policy.

VI. Definitions

Within the context of this policy, the following definitions apply:

  1. Age Appropriate – Educational activities and resources that are suitable to foster social, intellectual, communicative, and emotional development and to allow students to use their skills in these areas while considering the developmental level and physical skills.

  2. Approved Curriculum Instructional Resources – Resources that have been vetted in accordance with HCPSS selection process and criteria. These resources, including textbooks, literature, commercially produced programs, digital tools, and reference tools, may be used in educational lessons for students.

  3. Curricular/Program Area – A focused subset of knowledge and/or skills taken from the broader curriculum. HCPSS Curricular Areas include English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Career and Technical Education, Fine Arts, Health and Physical Education, Instructional Technology, Library Media, and World Languages. Program Areas include English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Gifted and Talented, and Reading Interventions.

  4. Curricular/Program Advisory Committees – A committee convened with the goal of providing broad input for a curricular/program area. Membership in advisory committees will include parents, teachers, students, and other community members.

  5. Curricular/Program Area Supervisor – A coordinator, instructional facilitator, director, or other person assigned responsibility for the resource selection process of a particular office, area, or program.

  6. Curriculum – The prescribed elements of programs and courses which state clearly and specifically what students are expected to know and be able to do, how well they should be able to do it, how they will meet the learning objectives, and the means by which they will be assessed.

  7. Curriculum Standards – The learning outcomes that students are expected to master, that reflect the best knowledge of the developmental needs of learners and comply with requirements from local policy and state law.

  8. Digital Tool – Any website, application (app), or software that requires an account.

  9. HCPSS Employee – Any individual who is a permanent or temporary employee of the HCPSS whose compensation is paid in whole or part by the Board, including but not limited to, teachers, substitute teachers, paraeducators, and other school-based and Central Office support staff.

  10. HCPSS Selection Criteria – Systemwide guidelines followed when selecting instructional resources.

  11. Library Media Center Collection Resources – Print, non-print, and digital resources available in school media centers.

  12. Media Center Purchasing Sources – The organizations, resources, and publications listed in the Approved List of Bibliographical Sources and Reviewing Journals for library media centers.

  13. Parent – Any one of the following, recognized as the adult(s) legally responsible for the student:

    1. Biological Parent – A natural parent whose parental rights have not been terminated.

    2. Adoptive Parent – A parent who has legally adopted the student and whose parental rights have not been terminated.

    3. Custodian – A person or an agency appointed by the court as the legal custodian of the student and granted parental rights and responsibilities.

    4. Guardian – A person who has been placed by the court in charge of the affairs of the student and granted parental rights and responsibilities.

    5. Caregiver – An adult resident of Howard County who exercises care, custody, or control over the student but who is neither the biological parent nor legal guardian as long as the person satisfies the requirements of the Education Article §7-101(c) (Informal Kinship Care) or has been issued a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Verification of Release form entering into a custodial arrangement with the federal government.

    6. Foster Parent – An adult approved to care for a child who has been placed in their home by a state agency or a licensed child placement agency as provided by the Family Law Article, §5-507.

  14. Software – Any application or script executed on a computer system, server, or other electronic devices.

  15. Supplemental Curriculum Instructional Resources – Resources selected, curated, and/or created for instructional use as a part of the curriculum writing process as outlined in Policy 8000 Curriculum. These resources include sample assessments, background material on content, suggested instructional strategies, sample unit and lesson plan formats, and support materials.

  16. Teacher-Created Instructional Resources – Resources, other than approved curriculum instructional resources and supplemental curriculum instructional resources created by the teacher to support or reinforce instruction.

  17. Teacher-Selected Instructional Resources – Resources, other than approved curriculum instructional resources and supplemental curriculum instructional resources selected by the teacher to support or reinforce instruction.

VII. References

A. Legal

  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. §1400 et seq

  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. §794 (d))

  • The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA)

  • Md. Ann. Code, Education Article, §4-205

  • Md. Ann. Code, Education Article, §7-106

  • COMAR 13A.04.05, Education That is Multicultural

  • COMAR 13A.05.02, Administration of Services to Students with Disabilities

B. Board Policies

C. Relevant Data Sources

(none)

D. Other

  • Citizens Review of Instructional Resources form

  • Request for Reevaluation of Instructional Resources in Use form

VIII. History

ADOPTED: December 3, 1975

REVIEWED: February 24, 2022

MODIFIED:

REVISED:

  • October 26, 1989

  • December 12, 1996

  • April 6, 2006

  • January 11, 2018

  • June 8, 2023

EFFECTIVE: July 1, 2023

Policy History Key

  • Adopted-Original date the Board took action to approve a policy
  • Reviewed-The date the status of a policy was assessed by the Superintendent’s Standing Policy Group
  • Modified-The date the Board took action to alter a policy that based on the recommendation of the Superintendent/designee did not require a comprehensive examination
  • Revised-The date the Board took action on a that policy based on the recommendation of the Superintendent/designee needed a comprehensive examination
  • Effective-The date a policy is implemented throughout the HCPSS, typically July 1 following Board action.