How do other states determine what books can be used in the classroom?

Question

My school district is becoming rather strict regarding what books can be used for whole-class instruction. We currently have a Reading Recommendation list, and if a book is on the list for another grade, it's off limits for any other grade. There are talks of making this list the Required Reading (you can't read anything BUT the books on the list). Personally I think this takes away from the professionalism of teachers to select appropriate books for their INDIVIDUAL classrooms (the make-up of a class changes from year to year). That's not my question though. :) I simply would like to know what sorts of policies there are in other states and school districts. Thanks!

I don't mean textbooks, just children's literature. I should have specified that this is on an elementary level. :)

Answer 1

One of the reasons districts are becoming more strict with their reading lists is the fact that we live in a very litigious society. Schools are getting sued because the parents didn't agree with the books that were read in class.

In my district, we have two different lists... one is core, and the other is the selected. We can only read the core lists as a whole class. This is also by grade level so teachers won't reteach a book the student read last year.

The other list is the one that can make up our classroom library or reading circle books. That I believe needs two teachers to read and approve to be placed on the list.

Either way, when I was teaching the reading classes, I sent home a sort of disclaimer that said kids would be reading books that interest them, and parents were responsible for monitoring their reading for objectionable issues. If they had a problem with something the student brought home, then the students could easily bring it back and exchange it.

As far as this reflecting the professionalism of teaching, I think if the list includes a large number of approved texts, then it really doesn't have an effect at all. At my school we're basically told what novels to teach and when... considering the school is 4400 kids and there's only a select number of copies of each book. The schedule is often determined by the Dept. Chair.

We're living in a standards based society that likes lawsuits. I think the list is meant to protect teachers.

Answer 2

Our school district has teacher committees with representatives from all grade levels and schools that choose which series we adopt. Majority rules. We carefully preview these and make sure they correspond to the state curriculum guidelines before making our committee choice. In other words - teachers have the final say in our district.
We do try - as it sounds lin your school district - to vertically align the curriculum so that topics and materials are not repeated the next year. I am sure that is what your district is doing when it limits the reading list. There is nothing more frustrating than to have invested countless hours in preparing materials for whole class instruction - only to find the next year that the teacher before you did that novel already even though it was on your grade level list. You will have better relationships with your colleagues if you make the current list work for you rather than "poaching" their territory so to speak.

Answer 3

Most states have a Board of Education that determines general curriculum for every public school in the state.Teachers may have a degree of flexibility in choosing their books, but that's usually pre-determined.

Answer 4

Here is a think tank report on textbook adoption committees, which are present in 21 states... should answer some of your questions.
http://www.edexcellence.net/institute/publication/publication.cfm?id=335

Answer 5

They choose the books that fit their political bent, few books are chosen based on quality. If you have ever really read a text book that was printed in the last 10 years you would be shocked at the spin and misinformation they carry.
As for we teachers being "professionals" that would denote being treated like one which you and I both know we arent. We are merely facilitators of a farm intended to create whatever a state or government chooses.

This sums it up

After being interviewed by the school administration, the eager teaching prospect said,

"Let me see if I've got this right.

You want me to go into that room with all those kids, and fill their every waking moment with a love for learning.

And I'm supposed to instill a sense of pride in their ethnicity, modify their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse and even censor their t-shirt messages and dress habits.

You want me to wage a war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, check their backpacks for weapons of mass destruction, and raise their self esteem.

You want me to teach them patriotism, good citizenship, sportsmanship, fair play, how to register to vote, how to balance a checkbook, and how to apply for a job.

I am to check their heads for lice, maintain a safe environment, recognize signs of anti-social behavior, offer advice, write letters of recommendation for student employment and scholarships, encourage respect for the cultural diversity of others, and oh, make sure that I give the girls in my class fifty percent of my attention.

My contract requires me to work on my own time after school, evenings and weekends grading papers. Also, I must spend my summer vacation, at my own expense, working toward advance certification and a Masters degree.

And on my own time you want me to attend committee and faculty meetings, PTA meetings, and participate in staff development training. I am to be a paragon of virtue, larger than life, such that my very presence will awe my students into being obedient and respectful of authority.

You want me to incorporate technology into the learning experience, monitor web sites, and relate personally with each student. That includes deciding who might be potentially dangerous and/or liable to commit a crime in school.

I am to make sure all students pass the mandatory state exams, even those who don't come to school regularly or complete any of their assignments.

Plus, I am to make sure that all of the students with handicaps get an equal education regardless of the extent of their mental or physical handicap.

And I am to communicate regularly with the parents by letter, telephone, newsletter and report card.

All of this I am to do with just a piece of chalk, a computer, a few books, a bulletin board, a big smile AND on a starting salary that qualifies my family for food stamps!"

Answer 6

ur state board of education and ur school district