Policies » Section I: Instruction » IJL: Selection Of Learning Resources

Policy Date: 10/05/2010

HSD File: IJL
HOOKSETT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SELECTION OF LEARNING RESOURCES

The policy of the Hooksett School District is to provide a wide range of age appropriate learning
resources at varying levels of difficulty, with diversity of appeal and the presentation of different
points of view to meet the needs of students and teachers.

Objectives of Selection:
For the purposes of this statement of policy, the term “learning resources” will refer to any person(s)
or any material (whether acquired or locally produced) with instructional content or function that is
used for formal or informal teaching/learning purposes. Learning resources include textbooks, other
books, charts, maps and globes, models and artifacts, pictures, games, data files, websites, motion
pictures and DVDs, periodicals and monographs, slides, sound recordings, printed music, and
transparencies. Community people, agencies and organizations are vital “learning resources,” as well
as national and international agencies, museums, libraries and other educational institutions that offer
programs via the Internet or satellite.

The primary objective of learning resources is to support, enrich, and help implement the educational
program of the school through the interaction of professional personnel and other members of the
school community. It is the duty of professional staff to provide students with a wide range of
materials at varying levels of difficulty, with diversity of appeal, and the presentation of different
points of view.

To this end, the Hooksett School Board affirms that it is the responsibility of its professional staff:
To provide materials that will enrich and support the curriculum, taking into consideration the varied
interests, abilities, learning styles, and maturity levels of the students served;

To provide materials that will stimulate growth in factual knowledge, literary appreciation, aesthetic
values, and societal standards;

To provide materials on various sides of controversial issues so that young citizens may have an
opportunity to develop, under guidance, the practice of critical analysis and to make informed
judgments in their daily lives;

To provide materials representative of the many religious, ethnic, and cultural groups who contribute
to our national heritage and the world community;

To place principle above personal opinion and reason above prejudice in the selection of materials of
the highest quality in order to assure a comprehensive collection appropriate to the school community.

Responsibility for Selection of Learning Resources:
The Hooksett School District delegates the responsibility for the selection of learning resources to the
professional staff employed by the school system.

While selection of learning resources involves many people (administrators, teachers, students,
community persons, resource center personnel), the responsibility for coordinating the selection of
school learning resources and making the recommendation for purchase rests with the principal and
professional personnel.

Criteria for Selection of Learning Resources:
The following criteria will be used as they apply:
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.

Learning resources shall be chosen to enrich and support the curriculum and the personal needs of
users.

Learning resources shall meet high standards of quality such as:
• artistic quality and/or literary style
• authenticity
• educational significance
• factual content
• physical format
• presentation
• readability
• technical quality

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 whom the materials are
selected.

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, rights and privileges as participating citizens in our society; and to make informed
judgments in their daily lives.

Learning resources shall provide information on opposing sides of controversial issues so that users
may develop, under guidance, the practice of critical analysis. The selection of learning resources on
controversial issues will be directed toward maintaining a balanced collection representing various
views. Learning resources shall clarify historical and contemporary forces by presenting and analyzing
inter-group tension and conflict objectively, placing emphasis on recognizing and understanding social
and economic problems.

Procedures for Selection of Learning Resources:
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.

Among sources to be considered are current reviewing media:
•Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
•Horn Book
•Kirkus Reviews
•Booklist
•Book Links
•Library Journal
•School Library Journal

Other sources will be considered as appropriate. Whenever possible, the actual resource will be
examined.

Recommendations for purchase involve administrators, teachers, students, district personnel, and
community persons, as appropriate.

Gift materials shall be judged by the criteria outlined and shall be accepted or rejected by those
criteria.

Selection is an ongoing process that should include the removal of materials no longer relevant and
the replacement of lost and worn materials still of educational value.

Legal References: NH Admin Rule, Section Ed 306.08; NH Admin Rule, Section ED 306.14(e)

Adopted: October 5, 2010