2510 - ADOPTION OF CURRICULAR MATERIALS
For purposes of this policy, "curricular materials" means systematically organized materials designed to provide a specific level of instruction in a subject matter category, including:
books;
hardware that shall be consumed, accessed, or used by a single student during a semester or school year;
computer software; and
digital content.
Curricular materials used as part of the educational program of the School Corporation shall be approved by the School Board, and the Board shall make approved curricular materials available for rental or purchase by each student enrolled in a public school located in the attendance area served by the Board if that school is in compliance with the minimum certification standards established by the State Board of Education.
The curricular materials approved by the Board shall include a research-based core reading program for students in kindergarten through third grade.
The Superintendent shall implement administrative guidelines for the selection of curricular materials that may include effective consultation with an Advisory Committee of parents and professional staff members at all appropriate levels. The Superintendent and the Advisory Committee may consider using the list of curricular materials provided by the Indiana Department of Education under I.C. 20-20-5.5.
The Board may retain curricular materials adopted under I.C. 20-26-12-24, if appropriate, and authorize the purchase of supplemental materials to ensure continued alignment with academic standards adopted by the State Board of Education.
The Board shall not purchase curricular materials from a publisher unless the publisher agrees, in accordance with Sections 612(a)(23)(A) and 674(e)(4) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act 2004 (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.), to provide curricular materials in NIMAS format and obtain NIMAS certification or grant a license to the Corporation to allow for the reproduction of adopted curricular materials in: 1) large type; 2) Braille; and 3) audio format.
Textbooks determined to be obsolete shall be disposed of in accordance with Policy 7310 - Disposition of Surplus Property and the Superintendent's administrative guidelines. See AG 7310 - Disposition of Surplus Property.
Fees
The Board shall make approved curricular materials available to each student of the Corporation without cost. Curricular materials provided to a student shall remain the property of the Corporation.
The Corporation may assess and collect a reasonable fee for lost or significantly damaged curricular materials. The Superintendent shall develop and implement reasonable rules and regulations for the care, custody, and return of curricular materials and hardware and the assessment of a reasonable fee for lost or significantly damaged curricular materials.
If the Corporation determines that a hardship exists due to the inability of a student's family, adult student, or an emancipated minor to pay any required fees or a reasonable fee for lost or significantly damaged curricular materials, taking into consideration the income of the family, adult student, or the emancipated minor and the demands on the family, adult student, or emancipated minor, the Corporation shall waive the fee.
The Corporation may write-off any outstanding unpaid fees for lost or significantly damaged curricular materials of $5.00 or less, if not paid by the end of the school year following the school year or activity season in which the debt was incurred.
Unpaid fees for lost or significantly damaged curricular materials in excess of $5.00 may, at the discretion of the school treasurer or designee, be written off two (2) years after the end of the school year or activity season in which the debt was incurred. Fees in excess of $5.00 may be written off at any time, if the Principal or designee determines the student’s parents, or the student, if age eighteen (18) or older or an emancipated minor, is unable to pay.
Supplementary materials required by a special education student’s Individualized Education Program shall be provided without charge. The supplemental materials provided to students receiving special education services shall be in a format that allows the student to utilize the materials. When necessary for a special education student to benefit from curricular materials, the materials shall be provided in NIMAS (National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard) format and shall be certified by NIMAC (National Instructional Materials Access Center), or the publisher of the materials may authorize the Board to reproduce the curricular materials in a format such as large type or audio that allows the special education student to benefit from the materials.
Guidelines for the collection of delinquent fees are included in AG 2510B - Collection of Fees for Lost or Significantly Damaged Curricular Materials. Additionally, please refer to Policy 6152 - Student Fees and Charges.
Revised 9/10/13
Revised 1/12/16
Revised 8/9/16
Revised 6/13/23
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