GAAD-AP: Instructional Materials Selection

The authority of the West Fargo Public School Board places the responsibility for the selection of instructional materials with the District Curriculum Committee. 

The Assistant Superintendents and the Director of Curriculum and Instruction shall establish administrative regulations and procedures pertaining to the selection of instructional materials necessary for teachers to implement the approved curriculum resources in their classrooms and work effectively with students. This team also has the responsibility for implementing these regulations and procedures.  

Instructional materials will be chosen to support the approved curriculum, enhance student learning, and help students achieve the goals and objectives outlined in the district’s strategic plan. This selection process will be guided by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and the standards set by relevant professional organizations.

Instructional materials shall be classified into three categories: core instructional resources, supplemental instructional resources, and non-core instructional resources. 

Core instructional resources are the adopted foundational resources to be used in classroom instruction. These resources provide the means for students to attain the districts standards and benchmarks.

Supplemental instructional resources are other district adopted print and non- print materials that may be used to enhance, augment, or illustrate the districts standards and benchmarks.

Non-core instructional resources are selected by individual teachers to complement, enrich, or extend the curriculum, to meet diverse needs of students or to meet the rapidly changing circumstances for individual classes. Non-core instructional resources used for classroom instruction are the responsibility of the teacher using them and the appropriate administrator. Non-core instructional resources are selected by the classroom teacher and are subject to the same review process as the district-adopted core and supplemental instructional resources.

Library resources are generally selected at the building level by the building Library Media Specialist. Library materials and resources are the responsibility of the Library Media Specialist and the appropriate administrator. Library materials and resources are subject to the same review process as the district-adopted core and supplemental instructional resources. 

Selection of Core Instructional Resources Adopted for Classroom Use

The Assistant Superintendents and the Director of Curriculum and Instruction are responsible for coordinating and supervising the selection and adoption process of core instructional resources that support the goals and objectives as set forth in the WFPS Strategic Plan.

Teachers and administrators, through the appropriate curriculum study committees, will preview and select core instructional classroom resources. Selected materials will support the district’s philosophy statements and curricular standards and benchmarks. Selected materials will be an extension of best practice educational research. 

Selection Criteria for Instructional Resources 

1. Content
2. 1. Supports WFPS Strategic Plan
   2. Is research-based and reflects best-practice instructional approaches
   3. Aligns with district and state standards and benchmarks
   4. Meets a range of needs and characteristics of the intended user: ability levels, reading levels, learning styles, age and social development and special needs
   5. Written to allow for differentiation of content, process, and product for students at different ability levels
   6. Presents facts and concepts accurately and objectively
   7. Stimulates growth in analytical and thinking skills
   8. Represents diverse points of view
   9. Represents multi-cultural perspectives
   10. Avoids stereotypes and bias regarding gender, race, religion, age, culture and sexual orientation
   11. Provides accessibility tools to create student opportunities to support individual needs and abilities.
   12. Allows student creation and creativity to demonstrate and provide evidence of learning in authentic ways.
   13. Provides immediate access, enabling learners to acquire new knowledge and apply it through relevant learning experiences. 

2. Organization and Format

1. 1. Utilizes a logical and user-friendly format
   2. Uses instructional aids such as tables, graphics, photographs, charts, maps, color, patterns, highlighting, appropriate typefaces, summaries, and questions 

3. Supplementary Resources

1. 1. Provides integrated supplementary materials including, but not limited to, software, online material, audio-visual resources, and printed material 

4. Teacher Guide and Supporting Materials

1. 1. Employs a user-friendly format and organization
   2. Offers useful instructional suggestions and activities based on best practices research
   3. Provides bibliographies of additional resources
   4. Includes suggestions and/or tools for assessment  

Selection of Supplemental Basic Instructional Materials Adopted for Classroom Use 

The Assistant Superintendents and the Director of Curriculum and Instruction have the responsibility for supervising the selection of supplemental basic instructional materials, including print and non-print materials (audio-visual, digital and electronically accessed). Study Committees have a primary role in the preview and evaluation of proposed materials. 

Any classroom uses of supplementary audio-visual or audio materials carrying a motion picture industry rating or the Recording Industry of America Parental Advisory will follow the rating guidelines. Any teacher using rated materials outside of the guidelines will follow the district-approved procedure for use.   

Selection of Supplemental Instructional Resources: Library Materials and Shared District Resources  

The Assistant Superintendents and the Director of Curriculum and Instruction have the responsibility for coordinating and supervising the selection of materials for the individual library media center collections and district shared collection of print, non-print, audio-visual, digitally formatted and electronically accessed materials. The responsibility for the selection of library media materials at the building level is delegated to the building library media specialist, assisted by the faculty and administration. 

The library media centers provide a wide range of student materials to stimulate, expand and satisfy the diverse informational needs and reading interests of students, enriching their instructional experience and helping them fully realize their potential at each stage of their educational, social, and emotional development. Gift materials are judged by basic selection standards and are accepted or rejected by these standards. Multiple items of outstanding and much in demand media are purchased as needed. 

In selecting materials for purchase and/or use, the library media specialists base their judgment on the valuation of the existing collection and the selection considerations for collection development in library media centers. Selection is an ongoing process which should include removal of materials no longer appropriate and the replacement of lost and worn materials still of educational value. 

The selection of materials is carefully done to assure a comprehensive collection appropriate for the users of the library media centers and in accordance with accepted school library collection development considerations and guidelines. 

Selection Considerations for Collection Development in Library Media Centers 

1. Direct or contextual support of curricular goals and objectives; 

2. Enrichment of basic instructional resources; 

3. Balance in the existing collection; 

4. Currency and significance for contemporary society; 

5. Readability; 

6. Appeal to interests and needs of students; 

7. Age, social and emotional development of students; 

8. Appeal to various ability levels and learning styles; 

9. Representation of various interests and viewpoints; 

10. Availability in other district libraries; 

11. Price; 

12. Stability of format; 

13. Potential demand and use; 

14. Degree of interest and potential use; 

15. Presentation of varied points of view for critical analysis; 

16. Representation of religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity and plurality in society; 

17. Stimulation of literary appreciation, aesthetic values and ethical standards; 

18. Reputation of author, artist, composer, producer, publisher; 

19. Favorable review in reputable and respected review sources and lists of recommended works distributed by reputable sources. 

20. Consultations with teachers. 

21. Requests for previewed materials from specialists from departments and grade levels as appropriate. 

22. Personal examination of materials.  

Additional Considerations in the Selection and Circulation of Library Materials

Materials included in library media center collections are selected for the appropriate level of the students.

Library staff will make every reasonable effort to respect the expressed concerns or suggested guidelines of the parents/guardians of a student.  

Library materials will be selected for their strengths, rather than rejected for their weaknesses. Materials are judged and selected as a whole work rather than individual parts.

Library media specialists and teachers should seek guidance in the selection of fictional materials from reviews in professional journals and books, consultations with other library media specialists and teachers, and personal or electronic examination when possible. 

Adopted: 06/25/81
Reviewed:
Revised: 12/21/84
12/16/86
10/24/05
01/09/12
06/02/20

06/11/24

11/26/24