601 - Curriculum Materials Approval Procedure

 
PACT Charter School


Original Creation Date:
 Unknown
Last Approved By: PACT Charter School Board of Directors
Last Approved Date: July 11, 2023
Year Reviewed: 2023-2024


Curriculum Material Review Procedures

Faculty, parents, and students may only recommend curriculum materials that they have read or viewed entirely.

  1. The person recommending curriculum materials should complete the top portion of the appropriate review form and place both the form and the material(s) in the Curriculum Coordinator’s box.
  2. The Curriculum Coordinator will act as the Review Coordinator. A minimum of three reviewers (the majority must be parents) will be selected for each item submitted.
  3. Reviewers will read the Elementary/Secondary Curriculum Review Policy, review proposed material, and return the form with material to the Curriculum Coordinator’s box by the specified date on the form.
  4. The Curriculum Coordinator will submit the recommendations to the DAC to be addressed at the next meeting.
  5. DAC will discuss and has the option to Approve, Approve with Limitation or Disapprove submitted materials (see Curriculum Committee Review Procedures below).
  6. The following appeal process is available:
    • A teacher or parent may appeal a Committee decision to approve or disapprove any material under consideration.
    • The Curriculum Coordinator will get a minimum of three additional qualified reviewers, but more than three qualified reviewers may review the material. All must have the review and evaluation completed by the meeting deadline to be considered at the next DAC meeting.
    • The recommendations from the original and new reviewers will all be considered.
    • The review form and recommendations will be kept on as part of the official recommendation to the Committee for three years. 
  7. All curriculum material, approved and disapproved, should be entered on the Reviewed Book/Music/Video list by the Curriculum Coordinator.

Reviewers’ Qualifications

  1. May be any PACT parent or any PACT faculty member who will not be likely to use the material in their own curriculum.
  2. Must agree to read the 601 - Curriculum Materials Approval Policy and Procedure that describes PACT’s mission and vision, the approval process, and the definitions for various approval options and make recommendations consistent with the PACT Mission, Vision, and Foundational Statements.
  3. Must be as objective as possible, taking into consideration the grade level and the intended purpose of the material.

Curriculum Reviewer Procedures

  1. Reviewers will obtain the appropriate review form and proposed curriculum material from the Curriculum Coordinator. All reviewers must read 601 - Curriculum Materials Approval Policy and Procedures each year, and indicate understanding and agreement by signature.
  2. The reviewer will provide feedback and recommend whether the material is appropriate for Full Approval, Approval with Limitation or Disapproval on the review form.
    • Full Approval: The reviewer recommends approval of the curriculum for whole class use (with no reservations).
    •  Approval with a limitation: Sometimes small edits will be made to ensure a resource meets the PACT standards but is still usable for learning.
    • Disapproval: The reviewer believes the curriculum material should not be used by these students. The final approval/disapproval decision of material will be made by the appropriate DAC (see procedures below). Disapproval may be due to age/grade appropriateness or other noted reasons.
  3. Reviewer returns the form and material to the Curriculum Coordinator by the due date established.

Review Procedures

  1. Individuals who wish to review material should contact the Curriculum Coordinator. The Curriculum Coordinator will regularly recruit new reviewers, and extend reviewing to all reviewers The Committee will hear and discuss evaluations by the reviewers. 
  2. The Committee will then determine the final status of the curriculum material with a simple majority vote.

Limited Approval of Curriculum Materials

Occasionally, teachers will find a curriculum resource that they would like to include in a current unit of study, but time constraints prevent them from being able to submit the item for review and approval prior to its use in a timely manner in the classroom. When this occurs, the Curriculum Coordinator may have the materials reviewed through the proper procedure (outlined above), and if all three reviewers approve the resource, it may be used on a limited basis (one time only), and will need to be formally presented for approval at the next scheduled DACmeeting.

Supplemental Resource Approval

Supplemental materials are defined as items that are not part of an approved curriculum and its ancillary materials. Items selected for use in this way are limited to materials that do not represent an entire class/unit of study. If an entire class/unit study is driven by current events, proposed frequently used websites/resources will be listed and approved on the course syllabus. Special education, Academic Strategies, Response to Intervention, Title I, and English Learners are programs that can include units made up entirely of supplemental materials.

It is understood that as teachers continue to research curriculum content and work to stay current in their field(s) of study, they may find resources to utilize that will enhance their classroom instruction. It would not be feasible to send each item through the curriculum approval process, so it will be the teacher’s responsibility to be sure that certain criteria are considered for each supplemental resource selected for use. The criteria include the requirement that the resource material has been read/watched in its entirety prior to classroom use, there is a clear justification for its use, and it is the most relevant way to depict the curricular content information to be covered. Teachers will be sure that the resource materials do not depict, promote or advocate substance abuse or sex; contain vulgarity or profanity, and contain graphic violence. Teachers will need to be sure that there are no copyright violations resulting from public use of the resource, that it complies with PACT’s 104 - Religious Expression Policy, and that it does not promote one political party over another. Teachers will sign a form (annually) indicating their intention to adhere to these criteria when selecting supplemental materials for classroom use (see sample at end of this document). The signature forms will be submitted to the Curriculum Coordinator.

Classroom and Media Center Book Collections

Reading material is readily available within PACT’s Media Center. In addition, each classroom has an assortment of books that are available for student use during the day. Teachers will use their best judgment regarding the grade-level suitability and content of their classroom book collections according to PACT's Mission, Vision, and Foundational Statements. Teachers will not have books available in their classrooms that are on the Disapproved Booklist.

Students will be encouraged by teachers to inform their parent(s) of any books that they are reading in the classroom. If a parent considers a book inappropriate, they should first discuss any concerns with the teacher. If the parent continues to be concerned after this discussion, they may bring their concern to the Curriculum Coordinator. If the concern has not been addressed to the parent(s) satisfaction, the Curriculum Coordinator will bring the concern to the DAC to be addressed at the next meeting. If determined by the Committee, the book may go through the Curriculum Materials Review Procedure and be pulled from the classroom until the  Committee has Approved/Disapproved the book.

 

Textbooks & Curriculum 

(Teachers: Note that the approval process for textbooks may take a minimum of six weeks.)

  1. The teacher requesting the texts should work with the Curriculum Coordinator to present at least three texts for consideration, when possible. The currently-used text may be included as one of the three choices. Both the teacher and Curriculum Coordinator will complete review forms.
  2. At least three reviewers (the majority of whom must be parents) should agree to look closely at the textbook choices and evaluate them for adoption. Background and/or knowledge in a particular subject area are preferred. At times it may become necessary to select reviewers from a wider base than this, because the text content to be reviewed may require specialized background knowledge. If that becomes necessary, the Curriculum Coordinator may select individuals from the extended PACT community to serve as reviewers.
  3. A period of review should be allowed for the PACT community. The textbooks under review should be available for viewing by parents or staff when a request is made to the Curriculum Coordinator at least 48 hours prior.
  4. The DAC should vote on textbook approvals for adoption.
  5. DAC will make a recommendation to the Board for full implementation.
  6. All textbook recommendations will then be sent to the Board for final approval.

Videos/DVDs

  1. Elementary
    1. Videos/DVDs rated “G” or unrated documentaries do not need approval.
    2. Videos/DVDs that are unrated or rated “PG” do need approval.
    3. Approved videos/DVDs rated “PG” require signed permission slips from parent(s).
    4. Videos/DVDs rated “PG-13” or “R” will not be considered.
  2. Secondary
    1. Videos/DVDs rated “G,” “PG” or unrated documentaries do not need approval.
    2. Videos/DVDs rated “PG-13” need approval.
    3. Videos/DVDs rated “PG-13” require signed permission slips from parent(s), except during Senior-only functions.
    4. Videos/DVDs rated “R” will not be considered.
    5. A professionally-edited version of a video/DVD may be approved. When an approved, edited, video/DVD is to be shown, a note should be sent home with the student so the parent is informed that an edited version of the video/DVD will be seen in class.

Videos/DVDs should be used sparingly and only when the teacher deems it is the most effective way to deliver the information.

Music and Drama Productions

Due to the group nature of Music and Drama productions, production materials need to be approved. Works without lyrics do not need approval. If necessary, when time or need is critical, production materials may be submitted to Administration for final approval.

Software

Curriculum material that has a technology component* must:

  1. Be submitted to the PACT Technology Department to be checked regarding compatibility and licensure.
  2. Be submitted to the Curriculum Coordinator for DAC approval.

* That is any media that must be installed on a computer or interacts with a computer network to be used or viewed.

Copyright

Materials proposed for use in the school should adhere to fair use guidelines regarding purpose and character of use, nature and intended use of the copyrighted work (i.e. consumables/workbooks), amount copied, and the cumulative effect (to the copyright holder). Copyrighted materials normally associated with print also govern the use of audio, video, images, and text on the Internet. Information about copyright and fair use can be obtained from the Curriculum Coordinator.

 


Online Resource Signature Form (Secondary)

To be completed by the teacher prior to the first day of classes in each school year.

 

School Year:                       

 

Date: 

 

Name of Teacher: 

 

Title(s) of class(es) being taught this academic year: 

 

 

Background: Curriculum materials used at PACT are designed to inform, inspire, demonstrate the importance of ethical behavior, and present viewpoints that challenge students to think critically about current and historical events and issues. We strive to equip students to be well-informed and to articulate their own viewpoints. The review and selection of curriculum material involve evaluation of the content for its adherence to PACT’s Mission, Vision, and Foundational Statements; behavior expectations; and policies. This includes those policies regarding profanity and sex/drug education. Materials that promote or trivialize behavior contrary to PACT’s Curriculum Philosophies and behavior expectations should not be used.

 

PACT MISSION STATEMENT

To Partner as Parents, Students, and Staff to cultivate an academically rigorous environment that challenges students to develop positive character qualities as a foundation for personal and intellectual growth.

 

PACT VISION STATEMENT

To develop educationally excellent, engaged citizens, who value life-long learning and are committed to making exceptional contributions to their ever-changing world.

 

It is understood that as teachers continue to research curriculum content and work to stay current in their field(s) of study, they may find resources to utilize that will enhance their classroom instruction. It would not be feasible to send each item through the curriculum approval process, so it will be the teacher’s responsibility to be sure that certain criteria are considered for each supplemental resource used.



The following criteria should be considered for each resource selected for use:

  1. The resource material has been read/watched in its entirety prior to classroom use.
  2. The message is clearly relevant to the curricular content.
  3. This is the best way to depict the information to be covered.
  4. There is a clear justification for the use of this resource material.
  5. The resource is not rated “R”. “PG-13” requires signed parental permission.
  6. The resource material does not promote or advocate substance abuse or sex.
  7. The resource material lacks profanity and vulgarity.
  8. The resource material lacks graphic violence.
  9. The resource material is not to be used in a public way that violates copyright law.
  10. The resource material complies with PACT’s 104 - Religious Expression Policy
  11. PACT faculty and staff must remain politically neutral. While resource materials may represent varying views, teachers may not promote one political party or viewpoint over another.

Statement: I am aware that my signature on this form indicates my understanding of my responsibility to evaluate any supplemental resource material selected for use in class consistent with the criteria listed above. When I have satisfactorily asked and answered each of the criteria questions, and have determined that the online resource material is acceptable, I am permitted to use it.

_________________________________________________    _____________________________

                    Teacher’s Signature                                                        Date            

A copy of this signed form should be submitted to the Curriculum Coordinator annually.

 


601 - Curriculum Materials Approval Procedure

Online Resource Signature Form (Elementary)

To be completed by the teacher prior to the first day of classes in each school year.

 

School Year: ____________________                                  Date: ________________________________

 

Name of Teacher: ________________________________________________________________________

 

Title(s) of class(es) being taught this academic year: ____________________________________________

Background: Curriculum materials used at PACT are designed to inform, inspire, demonstrate the importance of ethical behavior, and present viewpoints that challenge students to think critically about current and historical events and issues. We strive to equip students to be well informed and to articulate their own viewpoints. The review and selection of curriculum material involve evaluation of the content for its adherence to PACT’s Mission, Vision, and Foundational Statements; behavior expectations; and policies. This includes those policies regarding profanity and sex/drug education. Materials that promote or trivialize behavior contrary to PACT’s Curriculum Philosophies and behavior expectations should not be used.

 

PACT MISSION STATEMENT

To Partner as Parents, Students, and Staff to cultivate an academically rigorous environment that challenges students to develop positive character qualities as a foundation for personal and intellectual growth.

 

PACT VISION STATEMENT

To develop educationally excellent, engaged citizens, who value life-long learning and are committed to making exceptional contributions to their ever-changing world.

 

It is understood that as teachers continue to research curriculum content and work to stay current in their field(s) of study, they may find resources to utilize that will enhance their classroom instruction. It would not be feasible to send each item through the curriculum approval process, so it will be the teacher’s responsibility to be sure that certain criteria are considered for each supplemental resource used.

 

The following criteria should be considered for each resource selected for use:

  1. The resource material has been read/watched in its entirety prior to classroom use.
  2. The message is clearly relevant to the curricular content.
  3. This is the best way to depict the information to be covered.
  4. There is a clear justification for the use of this resource material.
  5. The resource is not rated “PG-13” or “R”. “PG” requires signed parental permission.
  6. The resource material does not promote or advocate substance abuse or sex.
  7. The resource material lacks profanity and vulgarity.
  8. The resource material lacks graphic violence.
  9. The resource material is not to be used in a public way that violates copyright law.
  10. The resource material complies with PACT’s 104 - Religious Expression Policy.
  11. PACT faculty and staff must remain politically neutral. While resource materials may represent varying views, teachers may not promote one political party or viewpoint over another.

Statement: I am aware that my signature on this form indicates my understanding of my responsibility to evaluate any online resource material selected for use in class consistent with the criteria listed above. When I have satisfactorily asked and answered each of the criteria questions, and have determined that the supplemental resource material is acceptable, I am permitted to use it.

 

Teacher’s Signature:

 

Date:     

 

A copy of this signed form should be submitted to the Curriculum Coordinator annually.