1. PURPOSE AND PHILOSOPHY
1.1. Utah law requires the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) to establish minimum standards for various elements of public education. Among those, USBE has established required core subjects and graduation requirements as addressed in Sevier School District Policy 4110 Curriculum - Graduation Required Instruction. In addition, USBE has established Core Standards to identify what individual students should be able to know and do at each grade level.
1.2. The Core Standards established by the USBE provide the framework on which District instructional programs and classroom teaching materials are designed. Curriculum, materials, and teaching style are all determined by the District and its individual schools and teachers. All Instruction and Learning Materials must support the Core Standards established by the USBE.
1.3. This policy establishes requirements and procedures for Instruction and Learning Materials within Sevier School District. It also provides a procedure for parents and patrons to communicate with school and District officials regarding Curriculum, Instruction, and Learning Materials.
1.4. Selection and review of library materials is governed by Sevier School District Policy 4016, Library Materials.
2. DEFINITIONS
2.1. “Core Courses” means those courses identified as Core Curriculum Requirements in UTAH ADMIN. CODE R277-700. The Core Courses and their respective course descriptions are established by the USBE. The Core Courses are listed in Sevier School District Policy 4110 Curriculum – Graduation Required Instruction.
2.2. “Core Standards” means the statements adopted by the USBE identifying what students are expected to know and be able to do at specific grade levels or following completion of identified courses.
2.3. “Curriculum” means Instruction and Learning Materials as defined in this policy. It includes content, instructional elements, methods, pedagogy, scope and sequence, materials, and other resources that are used to teach the Utah Core Standards. The District and its schools and teachers choose, develop, and control the curriculum.
2.4. “Instruction” means the words and actions used by a teacher to convey information, skills, knowledge, and/or wisdom to students.
2.5. “Learning Materials” has the same meaning found in UTAH CODE ANN. § 53G-4-402(26) and means all physical or electronic materials used by a teacher for the Instruction of students, including Primary Source Materials, Supplementary Materials, and Incidental Materials. School and classroom displays are considered Learning Materials. When a website is used as Learning Material, the content of the page must comply with this policy. Links to resources beyond the original page cited have not been vetted, and content of displayed ads and other linked websites are not considered Learning Materials.
2.5.1. “Primary Source Materials” means any Learning Materials intended to be the primary source of information and Instruction in all District classrooms in a grade level, course, or subject area.
2.5.2. “Supplementary Materials” means Learning Materials such as software, manipulatives, and other items intended for regular use in a particular classroom, grade level, or course at a school but not as Primary Source Materials. Supplementary Materials include assigned books and leveled libraries.
2.5.3. “Incidental Materials” means Learning Materials such as pictures, quotations, video clips, and other materials intended to be used as part of a single unit during classroom Instruction. Incidental Materials include classroom libraries.
2.6. Library Materials means all books, pamphlets, magazines, audio/visual materials, software, electronic materials, subscriptions, online access, or other information accessible to students in or through a school library. Library Materials do not include leveled libraries.
3. GENERAL STANDARDS FOR INSTRUCTION AND LEARNING MATERIALS
3.1. All Instruction and Learning Materials must be age appropriate for the students being instructed.
3.2. All Instruction and Learning Materials must be supported by generally accepted scientific standards of evidence.
3.3. All Instruction and Learning Materials must focus on, enhance, or help students achieve mastery of the Core Standards.
3.4. Instruction and Learning Materials must comply with District policies and procedures, especially, but not limited to, Sevier School District Policy 4030, Health Instruction Sex Education
3.5. Instruction and Learning Materials must comply with applicable copyright laws and licensing agreements, as more fully described in Section 6 below.
3.6. Instruction and Learning Materials must comply with the principles of individual freedom outlined in UTAH CODE ANN. § 53G-10-206.
4. SELECTION OF LEARNING MATERIALS
4.1. Except as provided in Sevier School District Policy 4030 Health Instruction Sex Education all Learning Materials must be selected in accordance with this section.
4.2. As required by the selection processes described in this section, the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum shall ensure that a District Curriculum Committee is organized. The Committee is authorized to vet any Learning Materials. When the Committee vets Learning Materials, it may reject, approve, or adopt the materials. The District Curriculum Committee must include at least the following:
4.2.1. At least one parent of a student currently enrolled in a class for which Learning Materials are being considered by the Committee;
4.2.2. At least one teacher of the class for which the Learning Materials are being selected;
4.2.3. At least one principal of a school in which the Learning Materials will be used; and
4.2.4. The Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum or designee; and
4.3. Selection of Primary Source Materials
4.3.1.1. Primary Source Materials must be selected by the District Curriculum Committee. When selecting materials, the Committee may either approve or adopt them.
4.3.1.2. If the District Curriculum Committee approves Primary Source Materials, the particular grade level, course, or subject area for which they are approved may, but is not required to, be taught from among the approved Primary Source Materials.
4.3.1.3. If the District Curriculum Committee adopts Primary Source Materials, the particular grade level, course, or subject area for which they are adopted must be taught using the adopted Primary Source Materials.
4.4. Selection of Supplementary Materials
4.4.1. Teachers and schools may select non adopted supplementary teaching materials based upon appropriate educational value, prevailing community standards, and curricular relevance.
4.4.2. Supplementary Materials may be selected by individual teachers but must comply with the general standards listed in Section 3 above.
4.5. Selection of Incidental Materials
4.5.1. Incidental Materials are those materials used as part of a particular lesson or lesson plan. They are meant to help with a single unit of Instruction rather than an extended period of time.
4.5.2. Incidental Materials may be selected by individual teachers but must comply with the general standards listed in Section 3 above.
4.6. Classroom Displays
4.6.1. Materials displayed in and around a classroom are generally considered Learning Materials and must comply with this policy. They may be selected by the classroom teacher but are subject to removal by the principal.
4.6.2. Consistent with Sevier School District Policy 4250, School Advertising Restrictions classrooms are not public forums for the display or distribution of political, religious, or personal viewpoints, and employees may not use them for the posting or display of materials to promote or convey a political, religious, or personal message.
4.6.3. Because classroom displays may reasonably be perceived as having the District’s approval, they constitute government speech under the First Amendment, subject to control by the District.1 Materials that do not convey the District’s educational message may be removed by the school principal. An educator or other employee who uses instructional time or space to convey a political, religious, or personal message after being directed not to may be subject to disciplinary action.
1 See Hazelwood Sch. Dist. v. Kuhlmeier, 484 U.S. 260, 271 (1988) (“expressive activities that students, parents, and members of the public might reasonably perceive to bear the imprimatur of the school ... may fairly be characterized as part of the school curriculum“).
4.6.4. This policy does not require a principal to remove photos, decorations, or other personal items from a teacher’s desk or surrounding area as long as the items do not disrupt the learning process.
4.7. Board Approval or Adoption
4.7.1. Learning Materials may, but are not required to be, approved or adopted by the Board.
4.7.2. Before being approved or adopted by the Board, the following must take place.
4.7.2.1. The District Curriculum Committee must review the materials and recommend to the Board that the materials be approved or adopted.
4.7.2.1.1. Materials that are approved may, but are not required to, be used for the particular grade level, course, or subject area for which they were approved.
4.7.2.1.2. Materials that are adopted must be used for the particular grade level, course, or subject area for which they were adopted.
4.7.2.2. Before the meetings described in paragraph 4.7.2.3, the materials must be posted online to allow for public review. If copyright prohibits online posting, the material must be made available at the District Office for public review.
4.7.2.3. After being made available to the public as described in paragraph 4.7.2.2, the materials must be considered during at least two public meetings at which educators and parents may express views and opinions on the recommended materials.
5. USE OF AUDIO AND VISUAL MEDIA
Audio and visual media means electronic media that has either a sound or visual component, or both. It includes music, audiobooks, videos, and any other type of live or recorded media presented for hearing or viewing. This section outlines restrictions and requirements for use of audio and visual media with students. As used in this section, the term “media” means audio, visual, or audiovisual media.
5.1. Media that contains vulgarity, indecency, nudity, excessive violence, or profanity is strictly prohibited in the classroom and at any school sponsored activity.
5.2. Media marked “for home use only,” whether privately owned, rented, or obtained online, may not be presented at school unless a public performance license has been obtained as described in section 6.
5.3. Livestream programs that give the teacher no opportunity to preview or control content should not be watched by students at school in all circumstances. Exceptions require approval by the school principal.
5.4. Instructional Use
5.4.1. Use of media during instructional time is limited to instructional purposes and not for entertainment or as a reward. It may be used to initiate, enhance, or culminate teaching units. Students should be guided by the teacher in connecting media to academic content through pre- and post-activities related to the Curriculum.
5.4.2. The instructional value of a particular piece of media shall be weighed against the value of the academic time it consumes. Only those segments of media which illustrate the topic or Curriculum content should be presented, rather than a lengthy program in its entirety
5.4.3. Media must be used under the direct supervision of the instructor. Except as provided in paragraph 5.3, no media may be used in a classroom without having first been previewed by the teacher.
5.4.4. In elementary and middle schools, media segments from works with a G, PG, or other similar age-appropriate rating may be used consistent with paragraph 5.1. Segments from works with a PG-13, R, NC-17, or other similar mature rating, even if the segment itself complies with paragraph 5.1, shall not be used in elementary or middle schools or their school-sponsored activities.
5.4.5. In high schools, media segments with a G, PG, PG-13, or other similar age-appropriate rating may be used consistent with paragraph 5.1. Segments from works with an R, NC-17, or other similar mature rating, even if the segment itself complies with paragraph 5.1, shall not be used in high schools or their school-sponsored activities.
5.5. Use for Entertainment or Rewards
5.5.1. School administration must approve the use of visual media for entertainment or reward purposes, and a public performance license must be obtained.
5.5.2. In elementary and middle schools, media with a G, PG, or other similar age- appropriate rating may be used consistent with paragraph 5.1. Media with a PG-13, R, NC-17, or other similar mature rating shall not be used in elementary or middle schools or their school-sponsored activities.
5.5.3. In high schools, media with a G, PG, PG-13, or other similar age- appropriate rating may be used consistent with paragraph 5.1. Media with an R, NC- 17, or other similar mature rating shall not be used in high schools or their school-sponsored activities.
6. USE OF COPYRIGHTED MATERIALS
6.1. COPYRIGHTED OR PATENTED MATERIALS
6.1.1. Any document which is copyrighted, either by formal filing under federal copyright laws or by informal claim of copyright, or which is covered by a patent, trademark or other protected designation, shall not be copied or provided to any person without an order of a court of competent jurisdiction ordering such disclosure or written permission from the author of the record.
Utah Code Ann. §63G-2-103(22)(b)(iv) (2009)
Utah Code Ann. §63G-2-305(36) (2009)
7. ACCESS TO CURRICULUM AND LITERATURE
7.1. Curriculum that the district uses must be readily accessible and available for a parent to view. Teachers should provide parent access to Curriculum materials through their normal means of classroom communication, including disclosure documents, learning management systems, newsletters, etc.
7.2. In order for parents to have the opportunity to review literature that is required as part of an English or language arts course, each teacher will send home a general list of the major works or novels that may be required reading during the year. The list should include a content description or provide links or references to outside sources available to parents where they can find a content description for the items on the list. The descriptions and references should be objective and fact-based.
7.3. If a parent has a specific concern about a work or selection as it affects his/her student, the parent may request a waiver or alternative as outlined in Section 8.
7.4. Parents who object to material and desire for it to be removed from the Curriculum may request a review under Section 9.
7.5. This policy will be available on the District’s website and made available to parents annually in the Parent Information Guide.
8. WAIVER OF PARTICIPATION
8.1. Pursuant to UTAH CODE ANN. § 53G-10-205, a student may refrain from participation in any aspect of school that violates a religious belief or right of conscience of the student.
8.2. A request under paragraph 8.1 shall be made in writing directly to the principal using the Request for Waiver of Participation form.
8.2.1. If a student makes a request to refrain from participation under paragraph 8.1, the school shall promptly notify the student’s parent or guardian
9. REQUEST FOR REVIEW OF INSTRUCTION OR LEARNING MATERIALS
9.1. Upon request and consistent with this section, Instruction and Learning Material may be reviewed and considered for removal. A request for review alleging that Learning Material constitutes sensitive material under UTAH CODE ANN. § 53G-10-103 is governed by Sevier School District Policy 4015, Sensitive Instructional Materials and must be made according to procedures outlined in that policy.
9.2. A request for review of Instruction or Learning Material may only be made by the following:
9.2.1. a parent of a student to whom the Instruction or Learning Material has or will soon be presented;
9.2.2. a student to whom the Instruction or Learning Material has or will soon be presented; or
9.2.3. an administrator at the school where the Instruction or Learning Material is presented; or
9.2.4. the associate superintendent of curriculum.
9.3. The District may limit the number of requests an individual may make in the course of a school year.
9.4. The Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum may deny a request if the Challenged Content has previously been reviewed by the District Curriculum Committee.
9.5. Requests must be made in writing on the District’s Request for Review of Instruction form (“Request Form”). Requests made under this section are to review Challenged Content for all students to whom it is accessible. Parents or students requesting an individual waiver or alternative must do so under Section 8 above.
9.6. The procedures outlined in this section may be used only to review Instruction or Learning Materials selected or under the control of the District or its individual schools or employees. Review of library materials is governed by Sevier School District Policy 4016, Library Materials. The procedures in this section may not be used to challenge or review Core Standards, Core Courses, or any other content, material, or methodology prescribed by law, rule, or regulation or otherwise selected by a state or federal entity and which are not chosen or used at the discretion of the District or its schools or employees.
9.7. The Request Form must be submitted to the principal. Challenged Content will typically not be removed until a final decision is made according to the procedures outlined in this section. Removal before a final decision is at the discretion of District officials.
9.8. The Principal will organize a School-Level Review Committee that may include members of the School Community Council and others selected at the discretion of the principal. The Committee will meet to review the request.
9.8.1. If the Challenged Content is specific to a particular teacher, that teacher will be invited to the meeting.
9.8.2. The Committee should discuss and answer the following questions. Answers and recommendations are documented using the Review of Learning Material Committee Report form.
9.8.2.1. For what age is the Challenged Content appropriate?
9.8.2.2. Is the Challenged Content supported by generally accepted scientific standards of evidence?
9.8.2.3. Does the Challenged Content focus on, enhance, or help students achieve mastery of the Core Standards?
9.8.2.4. Does the Challenged Content comply with District policies and procedures, especially, but not limited to, Sevier School District Policy 4030, Health Instruction Sex Education?
9.8.2.5. Does the Challenged Content comply with applicable copyright laws and licensing agreements?
9.8.2.6. Does the Challenged Content promote views or conduct that are false, inaccurate, threatening, harmful, hateful, or invasive of a person’s privacy?
9.8.2.7. Is the Challenged Content indecent, vulgar, lewd, or obscene as defined in reference to minors?
9.8.2.8. Is the Challenged Content libelous?
9.8.2.9. Does the Challenged Content promote unhealthy activities?
9.8.2.10. Does the Challenged Content promote activities that are illegal for minors?
9.8.3. The Committee will make a written recommendation on the report form to either approve or prohibit the Challenged Content. The form will contain answers to the questions listed in subsection 9.8.2. The recommendation of the Committee is advisory in nature and does not supersede the authority of the principal, the District Curriculum Committee, the superintendent, or the Board of Education.
9.8.4. If the Challenged Content consists of Primary Source Materials or Supplementary Materials, the principal must submit the request, the completed report form, and a copy of the Challenged Content to the District Curriculum Committee.
9.8.5. If the Challenged Content consists only of Incidental Materials or Instruction, such as assignments or particular learning activities, the principal may make a decision to either approve or prohibit the Challenged Content. The principal shall make a written determination indicating his/her decision and provide it to the person(s) who submitted the Request Form and to all school employees affected by the decision. The principal’s decision may be appealed to the District Curriculum Committee.
9.9. The District Curriculum Committee will consider a Request for Review under paragraph 9.8.4 or an appeal under paragraph 9.8.5, together with the recommendation of the School-Level Committee, the Challenged Content itself, and any written determination of the principal. The District Curriculum Committee will decide whether to accept the School-Level Committee recommendation or initiate an additional review. The decision of the District Curriculum Committee is final and represents the official position of the District.
9.10. A decision made under paragraph 9.9 must be in writing. The Assistant Superintendent or designee will make the written decision available to the person who requested the review and to all school employees affected by the decision.
Approved: 02/12/25
SEVIER_SCHOOL_DISTRICT_REQUEST_TO_REFRAIN_FROM_PARTICIPATION.pdf