JCBE/POLICY FILE: 347.11

Approved: 12/16/76

Revised: 3/25/82

Revised: 3/24/88

Revised: 5/25/89

SELECTION AND ADOPTION OF TEXTBOOKS

In adopting textbooks for use in the Jefferson County school system, the Board must carefully consider the rights, freedoms and responsibilities of students, parents and teachers.

The Board's first commitment in selecting and adopting textbooks shall be the preservation of the students' right to learn in an atmosphere of academic freedom. Secondly, the Board shall support the teachers' right to exercise professional judgment in their work; however, it shall require teachers to balance this right with an awareness of their responsibility to meet the educational goals and objectives of the community they serve.

Thirdly, the Board shall recognize the rights of parents to influence the education of their children. The Board shall not, however, allow the wishes of an individual parent to infringe upon the rights of the majority of the students in any class in the school system.

In order to maintain this balance of rights, responsibilities and freedoms, it shall be the policy of the Board to involve parents and teachers in the textbook selection process. A textbook committee made up of representatives from each group shall review for possible recommendation copies of books from the State Department of Education multiple list of textbooks and copies of books from other sources, provided such books have instructional value compatible with excellence in education. Supplemental materials from publishers should not be used in the review and selection process.

A list of books suitable for adoption will be compiled by the committee.

The Division Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction will receive a recommendation from the committee and, upon concurrence, will recommend the list through the Board's committee system. Books which are taken from other sources besides the state-appropriated textbook list shall, in accordance with public school law (CODE OF ALABAMA, 16-36-22), and upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, be considered for adoption by the Board.

After Board approval, the Superintendent shall forward to the State Department of Education a complete list of the books adopted.