2540 - USE OF AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS

The purpose of this policy is to establish consistent procedures for the use of AV materials including films, television, videos, CDs, DVDs, streaming videos, etc. for classroom instruction. The instructor(s) bears the responsibility for full compliance with the following policy.

The Board of Education recognizes video media can be used as an adjunct to almost any curriculum area or school club and can be an effective learning tool.

1. Video media is directly related to and reinforces the approved curriculum. 
2. Video media will not supplant literature or reading assignments.  In a language arts course, the reading of literature and literary non-fiction will be the main focus of instructional practice. 
3. All video media in varied formats must be carefully previewed and evaluated by the teacher and be determined to meet identified learning objectives before they are used with students. In all cases, the teacher is responsible for adhering to copyright laws.
4. Copyright protections are honored. (See employee handbook for more information.)
5. Parents/guardians shall receive advance written notice, or a notice in a course description or syllabus when teachers plan to use commercial video recordings that are rated PG with elementary students, PG-13 with middle school students, or R with high school students under the age of eighteen (18). Such notice shall include an accurate description of the contents of the video recording, and where it may be obtained/rented for parent/guardian review.  A copy of the notice must be forwarded to the principal. Video recordings that have an NC-17 (No children under 17 years of age) or X rating may not be shown to students at any time in the District. Unrated commercial video recordings may be used, but special care must be taken to ensure that such recordings fit curriculum benchmarks and are age/maturity appropriate. (See chart below).
6. Parents/guardians may request that in lieu of viewing a video, their child be given a meaningful, related, alternative activity associated with the same learning objective. 

Generally, commercial films produced for entertainment are not to be shown in schools during instructional time. Films or videotapes having obvious educational value may be shown when appropriate for the content, district curriculum, and level of the subject being taught. Commercial films may be shown for entertainment as part of co-curricular or after-school events or as a reward for a class achieving a major goal. 

Requests for exceptions to this policy may be granted by the District Administrator. Requests must be submitted in writing at least thirty (30) days in advance of the planned viewing. The request must contain the rationale for the exception and be approved by the principal prior to submission to the District Administrator. If the exception is approved by the District Administrator, parents must grant permission in writing before their child(ren) will be allowed to view the material.

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