School Board Policy 3000 defines procedures for adopting textbooks for student use. These guidelines allow them to select from the Virginia Board of Education (VBOE) approved list or consider other resources, provided they adhere to VBOE regulations.
Key points include:
1. Textbook Approval Process:
- Establishment of evaluation committees to assess textbooks.
- Notification to parents regarding considered textbooks available for review.
- Providing opportunities for citizens to present their feedback to the School Board.
- Developing procedures for considering citizen comments.
- Defining and publicizing selection criteria.
2. Considerations in Textbook Selection:
- The School Board emphasizes a comprehensive approach that aligns with instructional goals and considers aspects such as religion, race, gender, cultural diversity, and multiple perspectives.
3. VBOE Approved Textbooks:
- The School Board can enter contracts or issue purchase orders for VBOE-approved textbooks without following the Virginia Public Procurement Act. These contracts must ensure the best available prices for textbooks.
- Publishers must provide textbooks in an accessible format for students with print disabilities.
4. Types of Textbook Purchases:
- For grades 6-12, the School Board can purchase printed, electronic, or both versions of VBOE-approved textbooks.
- Textbooks are ordered directly from publishers and shipped to the School Board, with payments made directly to the publishers.
5. Locally-Approved Textbooks:
- For textbooks not approved by VBOE, the School Board requires a correlation to Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) and an analysis of strengths and weaknesses concerning instructional planning.
- Publishers of such textbooks must certify accuracy and commit to correcting factual and editing errors at their own expense.
6. Procurement Process for Non-VBOE Approved Textbooks:
- Purchasing textbooks not approved by VBOE does not exempt the School Board from following the Virginia Public Procurement Act.
These measures ensure a comprehensive and inclusive selection process for textbooks, aiming to align with educational standards while considering various factors like accessibility, accuracy, and instructional relevance.
