Policy 6161.3 Selection Standards for Supplementary Textbooks and Use of Other
Instructional Materials
February 2014
I. Responsibility for Selecting Instructional Materials.
A. In accordance with the Public School Laws of North Carolina, section 115C-98 "Local
Boards of Education shall adopt written policies concerning the procedures to be followed in
their local school administrative unit for the selection and procurement of supplementary
textbooks, library books, periodicals and other instructional materials needed for instructional
purposes in the public schools of that unit."
B. Supplementary instructional materials are defined as any material (whether acquired or
locally produced) with instructional content or function that is used for formal or informal
teaching/learning purposes. Supplementary instructional materials may include books,
pamphlets, periodicals, newspapers, microforms, charts, maps, globes, flash cards, task cards,
games, kits, filmstrips, audio and video recordings, motion pictures, models, slides,
transparencies, study prints, duplicating/black-line masters, websites, databases, and
computer software.
C. The selection of materials involves many people: principals, teachers, instructional
coordinators, technology facilitators, and media coordinators. The Winston-Salem/ Forsyth
County Board of Education delegates the responsibility for the selection of instructional
materials to the professional personnel in the administrative unit.
D. Textbook selections and supplementary materials lists shall be reported to the curriculum
committee each fall and shall be posted on the WS/FCS website for parents to access.
E. Each school shall have a Media/Technology Advisory Committee that will assist the media
personnel in the selection of materials in each school media center. The Media/Technology
Advisory Committee shall be appointed by the principal and chaired by the media
coordinator. This committee should include teachers representing all subject areas and/or
grade levels, the Curriculum Coordinator, students (at the high school level) and parents as
appropriate. Under the leadership of the professional media personnel, this group shall set
priorities for media and instructional resources to be acquired based on school system
priorities, school-wide objectives and on strengths and weaknesses in the existing collection.
In determining priorities, the committee shall be informed of the budget allocated for
purchasing resources in order to make the wisest choices possible. Names and contact
information of the committee members should be posted on each school’s website and should
be made available at each school.
F. The Curriculum Coordinator in each school and the Media/Technology Advisory
Committee chaired by the Media Coordinator should advise and assist the faculty of the
school with the selection of supplementary materials for classroom and media center use to
ensure that the materials complement and support the North Carolina Standard Course of
Study and comply with the selection criteria set forth in this Policy.
II. Objectives for Selecting Instructional Materials- The objectives for the selection of
supplementary materials are:
A. To provide materials that will enrich and support the curriculum, taking into consideration
individual need and the varied interests, abilities, ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic
backgrounds, and maturity levels of the students served;
B. to provide materials that stimulate growth in factual knowledge, literary appreciation,
aesthetic values, and ethical standards;
C. to provide a background of information enabling students to make intelligent judgments in
their daily lives;
D. to provide materials on opposing sides of controversial issues so that students may
develop, under guidance, the practice of critical thinking and of critical analysis of all media
and resources;
E. to provide materials representative of the many religious, ethnic, and cultural groups in our
nation and the contributions of these groups to our American heritage; and
F. to place principle above personal opinion and reason above prejudice in selecting materials
of the highest quality in order to assure a comprehensive collection appropriate for the users
of the media center and for classroom instruction.
III. Criteria for Selecting Instructional Materials.
A. School system needs, individual learning styles, the curriculum, and the strengths and
weaknesses of existing collections shall be given consideration in determining the needs for
materials in individual schools.
B. Materials considered for purchase and use in classrooms and media centers shall be judged
on the basis of the following:
1. PURPOSE--Overall purpose and its direct relationship to instructional objectives and
the curriculum.
2. INSTRUCTIONAL LEVEL--Provision for various levels of difficulty.
3. RELIABILITY--Accurate, authentic.
4. TREATMENT---Clear, skillful, convincing, well organized.
5. TECHNICAL PRODUCTION--Audio and/or visual.
6. CONSTRUCTION--Durable, manageable, attractive.
7. SPECIAL FEATURES--Illustrations, maps, charts, graphs, guides, etc.
8. POSSIBLE USES--Individual, small group, large group, introduction, in-depth study.
C. In addition to the criteria set forth above, videos/DVDs, shown in their entirety or as
excerpts, must meet the goals and objectives of the North Carolina Standard Course of Study
and should be documented in the classroom teacher’s lesson plans.
D. Audio-visual materials considered for use or purchase should also be judged on the basis
of professional or industry rating scales, such as the Motion Picture Association of America
rating scale. The Motion Picture rating scale should not be the sole basis for selection of
videos/DVDs for classroom use but should be used along with the criteria in sections A, B
and C above to judge the appropriateness of videos, DVDs and motion pictures for student
audiences.
1. G - A video/DVD with a “G” (General Audience), rating generally is appropriate for all
age groups. “G” rated videos contain nothing in theme or language which would be
offensive to parents whose younger children view the video. There is no nudity, no
depictions of sex or drug use, and no profanity. Violence is minimal.
2. PG - A video/DVD with a “PG” (Parental Guidance Suggested), rating is inappropriate
for elementary school students. “PG” rated videos may contain some profanity, violence
and brief nudity. There is no depiction of drug use.
a. Excerpts or portions of “PG” rated videos meeting the criteria of this policy may be
viewed in any classrooms and media center settings with prior approval from the
Principal or assistant principal. If a “PG” rated film is approved for use in an
elementary school, the teacher must have previewed the film carefully to eliminate the
“PG” content. Parents shall be notified in advance of the use of excerpts or portions of a
PG rated video and shall be given the option to excuse their child from viewing the
video. The teacher shall provide appropriate educational activities for those students
excused from viewing the video by their parent(s).
b. A “PG” rated video may be shown in its entirety in a middle or high school only: (1)
if it meets the criteria of this Policy set forth above, (2) is approved in advance by the
Principal or an assistant principal and (3) parents are notified in writing in advance of
the use of the video and give their child written permission to view the video. The
teacher shall provide appropriate educational activities for those students not permitted
to view the video by their parent(s).
3. PG-13- A video/DVD with a “PG-13” (Parents Strongly Cautioned), rating is
inappropriate for elementary and middle school students. “PG-13” rated movies may
depict drug use, violence, non-sexually oriented nudity, sensuality, and contain one
sexually-derived expletive in a non-sexual context.
a. No “PG-13” rated video or excerpts of a “PG-13” Rated video shall be shown in
elementary.
b. No “PG-13” rated video shall be shown its entirety in middle schools.
c. Excerpts or portions of “PG-13” rated videos meeting the criteria of this policy may
be viewed in middle and high school classrooms and media center settings provided: (1)
the teacher has previewed the film carefully to eliminate the “PG-13” content; (2) the
Principal or assistant principal has approved the use of the excerpts and (3) parents are
notified in writing in advance of the use of the video and give their child written
permission to view the video. The teacher shall provide appropriate educational
activities for those students not permitted to view the video by their parent(s).
d. A “PG-13” rated video may be shown in its entirety in high school only: (1) if it
meets the criteria of this Policy set forth above, (2) is approved in advance by the
Principal or an assistant principal and (3) parents are notified in writing in advance of
the use of the video and give their written permission for their child to view the video.
The teacher shall provide appropriate educational activities for those students not
permitted to view the video by their parent(s).
4. R - A video/DVD with an “R” (Restricted) rating is inappropriate for all students unless
prior approval is obtained from the principal and the parents of the students as set forth
below. “R” rated videos contain adult material, such as: profanity, extreme violence,
nudity within sensual scenes, more than one sexually-derived word as an expletive, one
sexually-derived word in a sexual context, or drug abuse.
a. Classroom appropriate versions of “R” rated videos meeting the criteria of this Policy
with profane, sexually graphic and/or excessively violent scenes removed may be
purchased and/or used when available.
b. Excerpts or portions of “R” rated videos meeting the criteria of this Policy may be
viewed in high school classrooms and media center settings: (1) if it meets the criteria
of this Policy set forth above, (2) the teacher has previewed the film carefully to
eliminate to the “PG-13” and “R” rated content as defined herein; (3) its use is
approved in advance by the Principal or an assistant principal and (4) parents are
notified in writing in advance of the use of the video and give their child written
permission to view the video. The teacher shall provide appropriate educational
activities for those students not permitted to view the video by their parent(s).
c. An “R” rated video may not be shown in its entirety in any school.
5. No “X” or “NC-17”rated video may be shown in any school.
6. Unrated Videos and DVDs. A principal or assistant principal upon the
recommendation of a school’s Media/Technology Advisory Committee or Curriculum
Coordinator may approve the use of an unrated video/DVD that meets the criteria of this
Policy if the educational value of the material justifies its use. Procedures similar to those
outlined above should be followed in obtaining approval for resources containing
profanity, sexually graphic and/or excessively violent material.
E. Other educational media such as: digital files, music, television programs, etc. considered
for use or purchase should also be judged and selected by the above criteria utilizing standard
selection tools, review sources, copyright guidelines, and industry ratings to judge the
appropriateness and instructional value of the resources. Procedures similar to those outlined
above should be followed in obtaining approval for resources containing profanity, sexually
graphic and/or excessively violent material.
F. Curriculum guides in all subject areas will contain recommended supplementary materials
consistent with the above selection standards and with the goals and objectives of the North
Carolina Standard Course of Study.
G. Principals, assistant principals, curriculum coordinators, media coordinators and
department chairs/lead teachers are responsible to monitor the use of supplementary materials
by instructional staff.
IV. Procedures for Selecting And Maintaining Instructional Materials
A. In selecting materials for purchase, professional personnel should:
1. evaluate the existing collection and consult reputable, unbiased, professionally prepared
selection aids and specialists from departments and/or grade levels. (Requests from
students and parents should be given consideration);
2. arrange (when possible) for firsthand examination of items being considered for
purchase;
3. judge gift items by the above selection criteria and, upon acceptance of such items,
reserve the right to incorporate into the collection only these meeting specified criteria;
4. purchase duplicates of extensively used materials;
5. weed continuously from the collection worn, obsolete, or inoperable materials;
6. purchase replacements for worn, damaged, or missing materials basic to the collection;
7. evaluate carefully and purchase only to fill a definite need expensive sets of materials
and materials acquired by subscription; and
8. establish procedure for controlling salespersons access to individual school personnel.
B. Lists of suggested supplementary materials which correlate with the North Carolina
Standard Course of Study and curriculum guides shall be developed by Program Managers
and Specialists as well as Curriculum Coordinators at the school level. Teachers should use
these lists of materials for classroom instruction. Homework assignments may be made using
materials not suggested in these lists if they are consistent with the objectives of the program
and the criteria stated above.
C. A teacher must obtain the approval of the Principal or assistant principal before assigning
students to read a book or showing a video or DVD in class that is not on an approved list for
a particular course and/or grade level as described in paragraph B above or listed in a
curriculum guide as recommended for classroom use in a particular course or elementary
grade level.
D. When purchasing instructional resources for classroom use, schools should follow
Selection Policy guidelines applicable to instructional materials housed in the media center.
All resources except textbooks will be cataloged and processed utilizing the media center’s
automated system.
E. Media coordinators might consider having a special collection of books, videos and other
materials available only upon request since content that might be objectionable to some
people can be handled as student choice.
V. Procedures for Reconsideration of Materials. If an objection to some materials is made
by a parent or parents despite the care taken in the selection process and despite the
qualifications of persons selecting the materials, the procedures set forth in Policy and
Administrative Regulation 6144 should be followed.
Adopted: October 1975
Revised: March 1983; August 2004; February 2014