In policy 3200, Selection of Instructional Materials, the board establishes a process for the selection of instructional materials to meet State Board of Education requirements and the educational goals of the board.  That process provides an opportunity for parental input in the selection of materials.

The board recognizes that despite the opportunity to participate in the selection of materials, parents still may have concerns about instructional materials used in the school system.  Thus, to further involve parents in the education of their children, the board also provides opportunities for parents to review instructional materials and a process for parents to use when they object to instructional materials. 

 

A. Parental Right to Inspect Materials

Parents may review all instructional materials, as defined in policy 3200, Selection of Instructional Materials.  Instructional materials do not include academic tests or assessments Parents who would like to inspect and review instructional materials should make a request in writing to the principal.  The principal shall schedule a mutually agreeable date and time for the parent to come into the school to review the materials.  All efforts should be made to schedule the time as soon as possible but no later than 10 business days from the date of the request.  All materials used in reproductive health and safety education shall be available for review as provided in policy 3540, Comprehensive Health Education Program. 

 

B. Parental Objection to Materials

Parents may submit an objection to the use of particular instructional materials to the principal using the “Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Material” form.  Each school will establish a media advisory committee to address all complaints about instructional materials.  The committee will be made up of the school principal and two certified teachers (one of whom must be the media specialist if the school has a certified person in this area).  While input from the community may be sought, the board believes professional educators are in the best position to determine whether a particular instructional material is appropriate for the age and maturity of the students and for the subject matter being taught.

 

If the committee determines that any material violates constitutional or other legal rights of the parent or student, the committee shall either remove the material from instructional use or accommodate the particular student and parent.  Before any material is removed, the committee shall ensure that the curriculum is still aligned with current statewide instructional standards and articulated from grade to grade.  If an objection made by a parent or student is not based upon constitutional or legal rights, the committee may accommodate the objection after considering the effect on the curriculum; any burden on the school, teacher, or other students that the accommodation would create; and any other relevant factors.  Books and other instructional materials may be removed from the school media collection only for legitimate educational reasons and subject to the limitations of the First Amendment.

 

The committee will notify the superintendent and complainant of its decision.  The decision of the committee may be appealed to the superintendent.  The decision of the superintendent may be appealed to the board.

 

Pending the outcome of the review process, a parent complainant may request of the principal that the material temporarily not be used by his or her child.  Such a request may be granted in the principal’s discretion.  At the conclusion of the review process, if the board upholds the continued use of the material, the board upon the parent’s request may direct that the material not be used for the parent’s child provided an equivalent substitute is available.

The superintendent shall develop the necessary administrative procedures to implement this policy.

 

Legal References: U.S. Const. amend. I; 20 U.S.C. 1232h; N.C. Const. art. I, § 14; Board of Educ. v. Pico, 457 U.S. 853 (1982); G.S. 115C art. 8 pt. 1; 115C-45, -47, -76.25(a)(5), -76.35(b), -76.40, -98, -101

 

Cross References: Parental Involvement (1310/4002), Goals and Objectives of the Educational Program (policy 3000), Curriculum Development (policy 3100), Selection of Instructional Materials (policy 3200), Comprehensive Health Education Program (policy 3540)

 

Adopted: September 7, 2021

Revised: March 7, 2024