Denton ISD provides students with access to instructional materials, including print and digital texts. The district is equally committed to honoring every student's first amendment right to inquiry into a diverse array of topics, and parents' rights to help their children choose their level of exposure to various texts.

For more information about instructional resources, including the difference between curriculum-related instructional materials and free-choice library materials, please see this resource from the Texas Association of School Boards. 

In Denton ISD, print and digital texts are procured in one of four ways:

Parent Permission

Students younger than 18 years of age that wish to check out titles in their campus library's restricted access section must first obtain parent/guardian permission. Acceptable forms of permission include a signed copy of the Permission to Check Out Restricted Materials or an email from the parent/guardian's email address used during student registration. Please note that students are not able to check out any restricted access materials until permission has been granted by their parent/guardian.

Resource Reconsideration

A process exists to provide district parents, staff members, or students with an opportunity to request reconsideration of resources available within the district believed to be inappropriate for student access. Detailed information about this process may be found within the Board Policy. If a parent, staff member, or student wishes to request reconsideration of an instructional resource available to students, they must submit a Formal Reconsideration Request.

If you would like to participate in a reconsideration committee to review library materials, please sign up using the Denton ISD Reconsideration Committee Interest Form.

Please note the district's guiding principles for this process.

1. A complainant may raise an objection to an instructional resource used in a school's educational program, despite the fact that the professional staff selecting the resources were qualified to make the selection, followed the proper procedure, and adhered to the objectives and criteria for instructional resources set out in this policy.
   
   
2. A parent's ability to exercise control over reading, listening, or viewing materials extends only to his or her own child.
   
   
3. Access to a challenged resource can be restricted during the reconsideration process, or the District may deny access to a child if requested by the child's parent.

The major criterion for the final decision on challenged resources is the appropriateness of the resource for its intended educational use. No challenged instructional resource shall be removed solely because of the ideas or viewpoints expressed therein.

Instructional Resources - Parent Options for Libraries

As a parent, you are able to influence what your child reads, listens to, or views while at school. The options below show what you may do when you have a question about how best to help your child make decisions about their reading.

1. Set Up a Meeting: You may request to meet with your child's teachers, principal, or librarian to look at your options.
2. Request Resources: You may reach out to your child's teacher(s) and request they share resources that have been, or will be, assigned in class and may request an alternative assignment for your child.
3. Provide a List: You may provide your child's librarian a list of titles you do not want them to have access to for checkout.
4. Pursue Reconsideration: If you believe a resource is inappropriate, not only for your child but for all children in the district or in a particular grade range, you may pursue a formal reconsideration.