Curriculum, Instruction & Staff Development
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Instructional Resources in Denton ISD
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Resource Selection
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:
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1. Textbook Adoption Process
The process used to select these materials follows the Texas Education Agency’s process for instructional materials review and adoption, including being board approved following public notice, as required. This process complies with Denton ISD Board Policy for Instructional Resources: EF(Legal) and EF(Local).
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2. Curriculum Titles: District Selected
In many cases, when novels or other full-length texts are needed to support specific curriculum goals, these titles are included as part of the textbook adoption process (above); however, in some instances, the procurement process occurs separately and a district-developed DISTRICT PROCESS is followed. The district process includes teacher input, curriculum team reviews, and a record of the final decision kept on file by the curriculum coordinator. This process complies with Denton ISD Board Policy for Instructional Resources: EF(Legal) and EF(Local).
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3. Classroom Titles: Campus-Selected
When novels or other full-length texts are selected at the teacher or campus level for use in book clubs, as whole class texts, in classroom libraries, or in similar situations, the procurement process follows a district-developed CAMPUS PROCESS. The campus process includes teacher, team, or committee input and review, and final decisions are made and recorded at the campus level. This process must also comply with Denton ISD Board Policy for Instructional Resources: EF(Legal) and EF(Local).
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4. Library Materials
The process used to select these materials complies with the Denton ISD Board Policy for Instructional Resources - Library Media Programs: EFB(Legal) as well as Denton ISD Policies for Library Materials: EFB(Local). More information about library selection may be found at this link.
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Resource Reconsideration
A process exists to provide district parents, staff members, or residents 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 board policy, located at this link. If a parent, staff member, or community member wishes to request reconsideration of an instructional resource available to students, they must contact the campus principal for information about the process.
If you would like to participate in a reconsideration committee to review library materials, please sign up using the form linked here.
Please note the district's guiding principles for this process.
- 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.
- A parent's ability to exercise control over reading, listening, or viewing materials extends only to his or her own child.
- 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.
- 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.
