Code No. 605.2
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS INSPECTION
Parents and other members of the school district community may view the instructional and library materials used by the students. All instructional materials, including teacher's manuals, films, tapes or other supplementary material which will be used in connection with any survey, analysis, or evaluation as part of any federally funded programs must be available for inspection by parents.
Instructional and library materials may be viewed on school district premises.
Parents and guardians of students will be provided view-only access to select instructional materials through the district’s classroom management software. Select instructional and library materials include:
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A catalog of books available in the school library;
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Electronic textbooks and core materials that are written and published primarily for use in elementary and secondary school instruction, and are required by the classroom teacher for use by students;
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Relevant portions of required printed textbooks and materials, if it is practical for district staff to digitize and upload;
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Any other materials as determined by the classroom teacher.
In determining what materials should be posted on the district’s classroom management software platform, the district will balance the desire for transparency with the time constraints of existing job duties and demands of employees. Parents and guardians should be advised that while district employees strive to keep information current, the most up to date materials are available upon request and subject to all applicable laws.]
It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations regarding the inspection of instructional materials.
NOTE: The federally funded programs portion of this policy is mandatory pand reflects federal law on the subject of parental rights to inspect instructional materials. The language related to viewing materials through either district premises or use of the classroom management software platform is optional language that allows for greater transparency for districts. It is not required by law but is intended to be used in districts that utilize online classroom management software and choose to make an online catalog of instructional materials visible to parents/guardians. Not all districts may have online classroom software capable of this feature.
Legal Reference:
Goals 2000: Educate America Act, Pub. L. No. 103-227, 108 Stat. 125 (1994).
Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 74; 280.3, .14; 301.
281 I.A.C. 12.3(12).
I.C. Iowa Code Description
Iowa Code § 279.8 Directors - General Rules - Bonds of Employees
Iowa Code § 280.14 Uniform School Requirements - Administrators
Iowa Code § 280.3 Education Program - Attendance Center Requirements
Iowa Code § 301 Textbooks
Iowa Code 279.74 Powers and Duties - Specific Defined Concepts
281 I.A.C. 12.3 Administration
Cross References
901 Public Examination of School District Records
Approved 2/8/17, Reviewed: , Revised 6/14/23
Grinnell-Newburg School District, Grinnell, IA