I. Criteria for Selection of Learning Resources
A. The following criteria will be used as they apply:
1. Learning resources shall support and be consistent with the general educational goals of the state and the district and the aims and objectives of individual schools and specific courses.
2. Learning resources shall be chosen to enrich and support the curriculum and the personal needs of users.
3. Learning resources shall meet high standards of quality in:
- Artistic quality and/or literary style
- Authenticity
- Educational significance
- Factual content
- Physical format
- Presentation
- Readability
- Technical quality
4. Learning resources shall be appropriate for the subject area and for the age, emotional development, ability level, learning styles, and social development of the students for who whom the materials are selected.
5. Learning resources shall be designed to provide a background of information that will motivate students and staff to examine their own attitudes and behavior; to comprehend their duties, responsibilities, right and privileges as participating citizens in our society; and to make informed decisions in their daily lives.
6. Learning resources shall provide information on opposing sides of controversial issues so that users may develop under guidance the practice of critical analysis.
7. Resources shall represent artistic, historic and literary qualities and provide a stimulus to creativity.
8. Resources shall be selected for atypical as well as the typical student.
9. Resources shall be judged as a whole with emphasis on their strengths, not weaknesses.
B. The selection of learning resources on controversial issues will be directed towards maintaining a balanced collection representing various views.
Learning resource shall clarify historical and contemporary forces by presenting and analyzing intergroup tension and conflict objectively, placing emphasis on recognizing and understanding social and economic problems.
II. Procedures for Selection
1. In selecting learning resources, professional personnel will evaluate available resources and curriculum needs and will consult reputable, professionally prepared aids to selection and other appropriate sources when possible.
2. Administrators, teachers, students, other school district personnel and community persons may make recommendations for purchase, as appropriate.
3. Gift resources shall be judged by the policy criteria and shall be accepted or rejected by that criteria and shall become sole property of Moorhead Area Public Schools.
4. It should be understood that selection is an ongoing process which should include the removal of materials no longer appropriate and the replacement of lost and worn materials still of educational value.