Regulation-Code-IJ-R1

Section I: Instructional Program

Regulation Title: Instructional Resources and Materials
Regulation Code: IJ-R1

Print Version (in PDF)

Availability of and Access to Instructional Materials by Parents or Guardians

Parents or guardians of students enrolled in the District shall have access to instructional materials currently in use, or being considered for use, in the District. Such access shall be governed by the following:

• Requests must be in writing and must specify the materials that the parents or guardians want to review.
• Requests shall be submitted to the office of the Professional Development and Academics.
• At least one (1) copy of such instructional materials shall be available for parent or guardian review
• Printed textbooks, supplementary books, and other printed subject matter may be checked out for removal from District premises for up to forty-eight (48) hours. All other materials, including films and digital materials may be reviewed only on District premises.
• School personnel involved in handling requests to review materials will notify the parents or guardians as to when and where such materials may be picked up or reviewed.
• Materials will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Objections to Learning Materials and Activities

A student whose parent or guardian objects to any learning material or activity may be withdrawn from the activity or from the class or program in which the material is used, providing:

• The objection is in writing and is specific in its description of the activity or learning material to which the parent or guardian objects.
• The objection includes a statement that the parent or guardian understands that the educational information and concepts covered in the activity or material may not be covered in any other manner or form and that the parent or guardian understands that the student may not be able to make up the material or activity in any other way.
• Although the student may be unable to make up for the missed activity or material, no penalty will accrue to the student in grades or credit, with the exception that, if the objection removes a student from a substantial portion of a class, promotion and credit decisions will be based on applicable District policies.
• All such objections shall be directed to the principal of the school in which the student is enrolled, who shall forward a copy of the written objection to the Superintendent, indicating that the student has been removed from the activity or stating the reason for nonremoval.
• Upon receiving a principal's recommendation for removal or nonremoval, the Superintendent will review the situation and make a decision regarding the matter and communicate that decision to the parent or guardian and the principal.
• Within ten (10) days after receiving notification of such decision from the Superintendent, the parent or guardian may request an appeal to the Board.

Exemptions from Classes

Religious/personal belief exemption:

• A Student who needs to be exempted or withdrawn from a physical education class or health education class for religious reasons, or because of the parent's personal beliefs, must submit a written request from the parent of guardian and an exemption form, prepared by their affiliated religious group, to the principal or (at the high school level) to the appropriate counselor. The necessary program change will be executed by the principal or by the counselor after consultation with the principal.

Physical condition exemption:

• A student who needs to be exempted or withdrawn from a physical education class due to a physical disability or a precluding physical condition must submit a written request from the parent or guardian and a medical examination report from a doctor verifying the need for exemption from physical education to the principal or (at the high school level) to the appropriate counselor. The necessary program change will be executed by the principal or by the counselor after consultation with the principal.

Student activities exemption:

• Students who need to be exempted or withdrawn from other student activities due to religious or personal beliefs, or for physical reasons, must follow the appropriate procedure as stated above.

Activity exemptions:

• A parent or guardian may request that a student be exempted from certain types of student activities for religious, personal, or physical reasons.
• A parent or guardian who wishes to have a child excused or exempted from certain types of student activities for any of the above reasons must:
  • Present a request in writing to the principal; and
  • Present a medical examination report from a doctor; and
  • Submit an exemption form or letter from the affiliated religious group; or
  • Give good cause regarding the family's personal beliefs in the letter to the principal.

Approval:

• The principal will effect the necessary change if the request is approved.

Reviewed: July 12, 2011 [Via email from Supt's Ofc to Board]