How can every student have access to current,
quality content if we don’t provide a textbook
to each student?
•
•
Purchase a classroom set of textbooks to be
used as a resource. Allow students to check
out a textbook on an as-needed basis.
Take advantage of the CD version of the
adopted textbook; allow students to check
out CDs.
•
Utilize the publisher’s Web site designed to
accompany the adopted text.
•
Utilize free online resources such as Teach21,
Thinkfinity, SAS, Smithsonian Education,
National Geographic, EBSCO, NASA,
Kids.gov, etc.
•
Utilize online versions of newspapers and
magazines such as Time, The New York
Times, Newsweek, etc.
•
Instead of purchasing a textbook for every
student, use those funds to purchase a
presentation station for every classroom.
•
Subscribe to or purchase a site license for
quality digital resources such as United
Streaming, Compass Learning Odyssey, etc.
•
Develop and launch a plan for one-to-one
computing.
•
Need dictionaries or other reference
material? Purchase digital versions.
•
Take advantage of Web 2.0 tools and
resources such as Podcasts, Vodcasts, Wikis,
Blogs, etc.
•
Write your own textbooks such as those
available on Wikibooks.
West Virginia Board of Education
2008-2009
Delores W. Cook, President
Priscilla M. Haden, Vice President
Jenny N. Phillips, Secretary
Robert W. Dunlevy, Member
Barbara N. Fish, Member
Burma Hatfield, Member
Lowell E. Johnson, Member
L. Wade Linger, Jr., Member
Gayle C. Manchin, Member
Brian E. Noland, Ex Officio,
Chancellor
West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
James L. Skidmore, Ex Officio,
Chancellor
West Virginia Council for Community and
Technical College Education
WEIGHING
options
the
Steven L. Paine, Ex Officio,
State Superintendent of Schools
Contact Information
Alma Simpson
Coordinator, Instructional Materials
Office of Instruction
Building 6, Room 608
1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East
Charleston, WV 25305-0330
Phone: 304-558-5325
Fax: 304-558-1834
awsimpso@access.k12.wv.us
Dr. Steven L. Paine
State Superintendent of Schools
Making the
digital
tr ansition
Adoption of Instructional Materials
Information To Consider When Adopting Instructional Materials
WEST VIRGINIA CODE
§18-2A-1. Definition; adoption groups; adoption schedule.
“Textbooks” includes books, instructional materials and
learning technologies. "Instructional materials" means and
includes systems of instructional materials, or combinations
of books and supplementary materials which convey
information to the pupil. "Learning technologies" include,
but are not limited to, applications using computer software,
computer assisted instruction, interactive videodisc; other
computer courseware and magnetic media.
Textbooks adopted on the state multiple list must
substantially cover the required content and skills for
the subject as approved by the state board of education.
Adopted materials must be current and information
presented accurately.
WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION
POLICY
§126-36-4. Applicability.
4.1. Textbooks, instructional materials, learning
technologies, or any combination thereof adopted on the
state multiple list must substantially cover the required
content and skills for the subject as approved by the WVBE
as a primary source of instruction. Adopted materials must
be current and information presented accurately. Copyright
dates of instructional materials being bid must not be more
than five years prior to the adoption period.
What does West Virginia Code and West Virginia
Board of Education Policy mean for county adoption of
instructional materials?
By definition, textbooks include
• books,
• instructional materials (systems of instructional materials or combinations of books
and supplementary materials which convey
information),
• learning technologies (include, but are
not limited to, applications using computer
software, computer assisted instruction, interactive videodisc; other computer courseware and magnetic media).
This language is from legislation last revised
in 1993. Today’s language would include 21st
Century Tools for Schools, DVDs, online
learning, e-learning resources, Web 2.0 tools and
content-aligned digital resources.
Access Remains a Priority
Access to instructional materials by each student
is a priority concern; therefore, when adopting
digital resources, it is imperative to have an
accessibility plan in place. The accessibility plan
should address methods to provide
•
access to students without home computers,
•
access to students with school-aged siblings who
must share limited technology,
•
•
•
•
access to students without Internet access in
their home,
equal access to all classrooms,
alternatives to web-based resources for times
when Internet disruptions occur, and
solutions for situations unique to individual
locations.
Funds for textbooks can be used to purchase
instructional materials in any format that provides
every student access to content that is current and
accurate at home and at school.
Digital content meets West Virginia Code and
provides better access to up-to-date information
than is possible with traditional textbooks which
may be up to six years old by the time they reach
the classroom
By rethinking the purchase of one textbook for
every student, the monies saved can be used to
purchase digital and electronic resources such
as laptops, site licenses, and subscription based
digital content.
Instructional Materials Website
http://wvde.state.wv.us/materials/