HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR 520 CUR - Learning ResourcesPROCEDURE PR.520.CUR
TITLE:LEARNING RESOURCES
Date Authorized:February 1999
Last Revised:18 June 2024
Last Reviewed:18 June 2024
COMMITMENT TO INDIGENOUS RIGHTS, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND EQUITY
The District recognizes its responsibility to ensure that this procedure and the associated work
promotes and protects Indigenous and human rights, and equity. The District will strive to address
and eliminate discrimination and structural and systemic barriers for students, staff, and community.
1.0 RATIONALE
To provide guidance to schools when selecting learning resources to support and enrich their
students' educational programs and learning experiences.
2.0 DEFINITIONS
Please refer to Appendix A for a list of definitions used in this procedure.
3.0 PROCEDURE
3.1 The school principal is responsible for selecting learning resources in accordance with
the criteria established in Board Policy P.031.CUR: Learning Resources.
Community or Professional Input
3.2 Principals and other Board professional staff are encouraged:
a)to seek input from subject specialists, consultants, and curriculum staff; and
b)to consider community input regarding learning resources wherever appropriate.
Providing Advance Notice to Parents/Guardians
3.3 Schools will provide detailed notice to parents/guardians whenever guest speakers are
invited into their schools, at least 14 calendar days in advance.
3.4 Schools will provide notice through existing communication tools supported by the
school board or school and will include:
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a)date and time of the activity;
b)name(s) of the guest speaker(s) and the organization they represent, if any;
c)title and location of the activity, together with the names of the presenters or
performers;
d)topic or focus of the activity;
e)connections to the curriculum and/or the purpose of the activity; and
f)details of any handout materials, giveaways, or literature that will be provided.
3.5 Schools will provide further notice to parents/guardians of any change to a planned
event. If the changes at the school level do not allow for 14 calendar days advance
notice, the school will provide this information to parents/guardians as soon as final
arrangements are confirmed.
3.6 Schools are permitted to exclude certain information, such as the date and time of the
activity, where the school determines that posting this information would pose a safety
risk to students and/or staff.
Criteria for Withdrawal of Resources
3.7 Up-to-date learning resources enhance student learning.
3.8 The following criteria will be taken into consideration when deciding whether to withdraw
material:
c)physical deterioration is evident;
d)material is no longer appropriate to programs taught in schools;
e)information is no longer current;
f)material has not been used or circulated for years;
g)replacement of almanacs, yearbooks and encyclopedias by newer editions has
occurred;
h)material is stereotyped or biased;
i)material is not consistent with Board policies; and/or
j)material is no longer recommended in Ministry of Education and Training Trillium
List and its successor guidelines.
Request for Withdrawal of a Learning Resource
3.9 When controversy arises regarding a particular learning resource, staff should seek to
resolve the matter informally as follows:
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a)questions or concerns should be directed to the teacher or the principal of the
school;
b)the principal or appropriate staff will meet with the individual(s) expressing
concern and attempt to resolve the issue through discussion; and
c)the principal or appropriate staff will provide a copy of the selection procedure
and selection criteria and explain the intended use of the resource in the
curriculum with reference to Ministry of Education subject/curriculum guidelines
and other Ministry documents.
3.10 Failing informal resolution, a formal procedure will be followed. If the questioner or
questioners wishes/wish to file a formal request for the withdrawal of a learning
resource, the principal will provide a Request for Review of a Learning Resource form
(Appendix B) and the following procedure will be adhered to:
a)Step 1:
A.A fully completed “Request for Review of a Learning Resource” form (see
Attachment 1) must be signed by the questioner(s) and filed with the
principal;
B.An in-school review committee of three persons will be convened by the
principal and will consist of the principal, a teacher, and a designated
member of the school council. Where appropriate, an intermediate or
secondary student may join the committee;
C.The committee will determine the disposition of the material and inform the
questioner(s);
D.The review will be completed within 20 school days from receipt of the
request.
b)Step 2:
A.The decision may be appealed in writing to the appropriate
Superintendent responsible for schools;
B.The Superintendent responsible for schools will convene a panel to review
the learning resource in question. The panel will include the
Superintendent responsible for schools and at least two other educators
(for example, principal, classroom teacher, teacher-librarian) who are not
members of staff of the school involved;
C.The major criterion for the final decision is the appropriateness of the
material for its intended purpose;
D.The decision of the panel will be communicated to those involved by the
Superintendent responsible for schools; and
E.This appeal process will be completed within 30 school days from the
receipt of the appeal.
c)Step 3:
A.an appeal may be made against the decision of the panel in 4.3.2 e)
above by filing a notice in writing with the Director of Education or
designate in accordance with Board Policy P.022.SCO: Appeals Hearing
Panel (Students) within 14 days of the notification of the decision.
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Criteria for Accepting Free Learning Resources:
3.11 The basis for deciding whether or not to accept materials offered for donation will be the
criteria outlined in Board Policy P.030.CUR: Learning Media Requiring Approval and in
this Procedure.
4.0 APPENDICES
Appendix A: Procedure Definitions
Appendix B: Request for Review of a Learning Resource
5.0 REFERENCE DOCUMENTS
Education Act, 1998, Section 170, (13)
Education Act, 1998, Section 171, (1) para. 14
Education Act, 1997, Reg. 298, Section 7
Ministry of Education Trillium List: Textbooks
OCDSB Policy P.031.CUR: Learning Resources
OCDSB Policy P.030.CUR: Learning Media Requiring Approval
OCDSB Policy P.029.SCO: Field Trips
OCDSB Policy P.022.SCO: Appeals Hearing Panel (Student Suspension)
OCDSB Policy P.045.GOV: Partnerships, Sponsorships, Donations and Co-operative Ventures
OCDSB Procedure PR.519.CUR: Learning Media Requiring Approval
OCDSB Procedure PR.512.SCO: Appeals Hearing Panel (Student Suspension)
OCDSB Procedure PR.535.GOV: Partnerships, Sponsorships, Donations and Co-operative
Ventures
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APPENDIX A: PROCEDURE DEFINITIONS
In this procedure,
District means the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.
Learning resources means:
a)materials such as print, software, games, audio, visual or electronic information
used for formal or informal instructional purposes;
b)persons who can contribute their knowledge and experience in the instructional
process, including guests who make presentations in the school, community
resource people, agencies, and organizations; and
c)field trips, excursions, educational tours, and student exchanges.
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APPENDIX B: REQUEST FOR REVIEW OF A LEARNING RESOURCE
Initiated by:
Address:
Name of School:
REPRESENTING:
Self: Group: Organization:
RESOURCE TO BE REVIEWED:
Book:Author:
Title:
Publisher:
Copyright Date:
Hardcover: Paperback: Edition:
Non-book:Type of Resource:
(Magazine, film, filmstrip, record, person, community resource, Computer software, app, online
resource, video recording, audio recording, etc.)
Title/Name:
Publisher or Producer:
Please respond to the following questions. If there is not sufficient space, feel free to use additional
sheets of paper.
1.Did you review the entire resource? If not, what did you review?
2.To what do you object? Please be specific.
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3.What do you believe is the main purpose of this resource?
4.What do you feel might be the impact on a student who uses this resource?
5.Is there anything beneficial about this resource?
6.In your opinion, for what age group would this resource be more appropriate?
7.In the place of this resource, you may recommend other resources that you consider to be
more appropriate:
Date: Signed:
Please return this form to the school principal.
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