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Instruction at Windsor High School is designed to broaden students' understanding of social and cultural history and their tolerance for the multiple ways of life practiced by the people of the world. Though all literature is approved by the Windsor Unified School District School Board, we recognize that some material may not be acceptable to all students or their parents/guardians.
A listing of literature used at Windsor High School and the right of students to alternate assignments if they or parents find material objectionable can be found here and/or under the "Academics" section of the Windsor High School web site at www.windsorhs.com . Please see the front receptionist in the main office of the campus if you need a hard copy.
What follows is the WUSD Board Policy and Procedures regarding Complaints Concerning Instructional Materials:
Windsor Unified School District Board Policy 1312.2
The Governing Board uses a comprehensive process to adopt district instructional materials that is based on selection criteria established by law and Board policy and includes opportunities for the involvement of parents/guardians and community members. Complaints concerning the content or use of instructional materials, including textbooks, supplementary instructional materials, library materials, or other instructional materials and equipment, shall be properly and fairly considered using established complaint procedures.
(cf. 6161.1 - Selection and Evaluation of Instructional Materials)
(cf. 6161.11 - Supplementary Instructional Materials)
(cf. 6163.1 - Library Media Centers)
Parents/guardians are encouraged to discuss any concerns regarding instructional materials with their child's teacher and/or the school principal. If the situation remains unresolved, a complaint may be filed using the process specified in the administrative regulation.
The district shall accept complaints concerning instructional materials only from staff, district residents, or the parents/guardians of children enrolled in a district school.
When deliberating upon challenged materials, the Superintendent and/or review committee shall consider the educational philosophy of the district, the professional opinions of teachers of the subject and of other competent authorities, reviews of the materials by reputable bodies, the teacher's stated objectives in using the materials, community standards, and the objections of the complainant.
Complainants are encouraged to accept the Superintendent's or review committee's decision. However, if the complainant finds that decision unsatisfactory, he/she may appeal the decision to the Board.
(cf. 9322 - Agenda/Meeting Materials)
The district's decision shall be based on educational suitability of the materials and the criteria established in Board policy and administrative regulation.
(cf. 6144 - Controversial Issues)
(cf. 9000 - Role of the Board)
(cf. 9005 - Governance Standards)
When any challenged instructional material is reviewed by the district, it shall not be subject to further reconsideration for 12 months, unless the Superintendent determines that reconsideration is warranted.
Complaints related to sufficiency of textbooks or instructional materials shall be resolved pursuant to the district's Williams uniform complaint procedure at AR 1312.4.
(cf. 1312.1 - Complaints Concerning District Employees)
(cf. 1312.3 - Uniform Complaint Procedures)
(cf. 1312.4 - Williams Uniform Complaint Procedures)
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
18111 Exclusion of books by governing board
35010 Control of district; prescription and enforcement of rules
35186 Williams Uniform Complaint Procedures
44805 Enforcement of course of studies; use of textbooks, rules and regulations
51501 Subject matter reflecting on race, color, etc.
60000 - 60005 Instructional materials, legislative intent
60040 - 60048 Instructional requirements and materials
60119 Public hearing on sufficiency of materials
60200 - 60206 Elementary school materials
60226 Requirements for publishers and manufacturers
60400 - 60411 High school textbooks
60510 - 60511 Donation of sale of obsolete instructional materials
Management Resources:
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PROGRAM ADVISORIES
1002.90 Selection of Instructional Materials, CIL: 90/91-02
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PUBLICATIONS
Standards for Evaluation of Instructional Materials with Respect to Social Content, 1986 edition, revised 2001
WEB SITES
CSBA: http://www.csba.org
California Department of Education, Curriculum and Instruction: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci
Policy WINDSOR UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT adopted: June 8, 2006 Windsor , California
Windsor Unified School District Administrative Regulation 13312.2
Step 1: Informal Complaint
If a staff member, district resident, or parent/guardian of a student enrolled in a district school has a complaint regarding the content or use of any specific instructional material, he/she shall informally discuss the material in question with the principal.
Step 2: Formal Complaint
If the complainant is not satisfied with the principal's initial response, he/she shall present a written complaint to the principal. Complaints regarding printed material shall name the author, title, and publisher and shall identify the objection by page and item numbers. In the case of non-printed material, written information specifying the precise nature of the objection shall be given. Complainants shall sign all complaints and provide identifying information so that the district is able to make a proper reply. Anonymous complaints will not be accepted.
Upon receiving a complaint, the principal shall acknowledge its receipt and answer any questions regarding procedure. The principal then shall notify the Superintendent or designee and the teacher(s) involved of the complaint.
During the investigation of the complaint, the challenged material may remain in use until a final decision has been reached. However, upon request of the parent/guardian who has filed the complaint, his/her child may be excused from using challenged materials until a resolution has been reached. The teacher shall assign the student an alternate material of equal merit.
Step 3: Superintendent Determination
The Superintendent or designee shall determine whether a review committee should be convened to review the complaint.
If the Superintendent or designee determines that a review committee is not necessary, he/she shall issue a decision regarding the complaint.
Step 4: Review Committee
If the Superintendent or designee determines that a review committee is necessary, he/she shall appoint a committee composed of administrators and staff members selected from relevant instructional and administrative areas. The Superintendent or designee may also appoint community members to serve on the committee.
The review committee shall review the criteria specified in Board policy and shall determine the extent to which the challenged material supports the curriculum, the educational appropriateness of the material, and its suitability for the age level of the student.
Within 30 days of being convened, the review committee shall summarize its findings in a written report. The Superintendent or designee shall notify the complainant of the committee's decision within 15 days of receiving the committee's report.
Step 5: Appeal to the Governing Board
If the complainant remains unsatisfied, he/she may appeal the Superintendent's or the review committee's decision to the Board. The Board's decision shall be final.
(cf. 9322 - Agenda/Meeting Materials)
Regulation WINDSOR UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT adopted: June 8, 2006 Windsor , California
Windsor Unified School District Exhibit 1312.2
Request For Reconsideration Of Instructional Materials
This form is for use only by district employees, district residents, or parents/guardians of children enrolled in a district school to challenge the content or use of an instructional material. For complaints regarding sufficiency of instructional materials, please use the Williams Uniform Complaint Procedure complaint form.
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