Regarding Issues On Policy 4600, 4610 And The Petition Received At The January 2005 Board Of Education Meeting

On Monday, January 10, a petition was submitted to the Blue Valley Board of Education requesting removal of fourteen books from the district's approved reading list for high school Communication Arts. While the district respects the right of patrons to sign and submit petitions to the Board of Education as well as the right to address the Board of Education in the Open Forum portion of public meetings, the Board of Education must follow its own policies governing challenges to and reconsideration of educational resources. Policy 4610 deals with challenges to educational resources and describes the proper process to challenge resources. A petition submitted to the Board of Education, regardless of the number of signatures, is not the proper method to challenge district approved learning resources. To learn more about the proper process and Policy 4610 click this link: http://www.bluevalleyk12.org/boe/policies/4000/documents/4610policy.pdf (PDF: 56KB/2 pgs)

Over the past twelve months, the district has worked closely with teachers, administrators and parents to revise the method for selection of learning resources including novels. This selection process is defined in Policy 4600, Selection of Learning Resources. To learn more about how the district selects learning resources and Policy 4600 click this link: http://www.bluevalleyk12.org/boe/policies/4000/documents/4600policy.pdf (PDF: 26KB/2pgs)

The Board of Education firmly believes that the recently revised Policy 4600 must be allowed to work in conjunction with the on-going revision of the high school Communication Arts curriculum prior to any conclusions being drawn. The Board's desire is that this work be complete prior to Fall 2005.

The following FAQs were developed by district administrators with John Fuller, Board president, on behalf of the Board of Education to help answer patron questions regarding this important community issue. The questions were derived from patron communications.

How do I know what my student will be reading in Communication Arts?

Books approved for use in all Communication Arts classes are listed under the course on the district Web site. That site can be accessed through the following link: http://www.bv229.k12.ks.us/BVcurriculum/commarts/

Each high school teacher sends home a parental notification letter at the beginning of the school year that lists the novels from the district approved reading list students may read in the class. Teachers also share this list with parents at Meet the Teacher Night.

Students also receive class directives at the beginning of the semester that list the novels assigned.

Where would I find justification for a particular novel being taught in a particular class?

The rationales for each novel are on-line at the above Web site. Currently, rationales based on the former Policy 4600 are posted. New rationales based on the revised Policy 4600 will be posted during the summer. The rationales are also available in each high school media center.

What is Policy 4600?

Policy 4600 addresses the selection of learning resources. The Board of Education has identified and listed criteria for staff to study before determining which materials will be chosen. The Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services, Educational Services staff and the building principals are responsible for monitoring the adherence to the policy.

Over the past twelve months, the district has worked closely with teachers, administrators and parents to revise the method for selection of learning resources including novels. This selection process is defined in Policy 4600, the Selection of Learning Resources. As suggested above, the policy may be accessed through this link: http://www.bluevalleyk12.org/boe/policies/4000/documents/4600policy.pdf (PDF: 26KB/2pgs)

How were the books selected? Who is responsible for the selection?

Curricular materials are selected by professional staff using Policy 4600. A representative group of teachers develops the approved list of novels.

How does a teacher handle the controversial parts of an assigned reading?

Teachers work to demonstrate that novels help us understand some lessons of life without our having to live those lessons ourselves Teachers set appropriate expectations for discussion of challenging passages before the discussion. They help the student discover the reason behind the author's choice of words and descriptions. Teachers do not promote the use of inappropriate language in writing or conversation nor do they celebrate the negative choices made by some of the characters in literature. They use these negative role models to make points that support the growth and understanding of the students.

Teachers may discuss the issues in a reading selection with students before the students read the selection. "Pre-reading" is an instructional technique used by all Communication Arts teachers. Teachers may also discuss different passages with individual students if the student states a need or desire for such a discussion. Mostly, teachers utilize the questions of students to focus on any controversial passage as a part of the context of the whole novel.

What is the value of contemporary literature?

Contemporary literature differs from classic literature in time, setting and relevance to the students' lives. The district approved book list will include classics as well as contemporary literature. Policy 4600 requires that materials be considered for a reflection of multi-cultural influences and these are most often found in more contemporary literature.

What is the procedure for opting out of reading a specific novel?

• An individual with a concern must contact the teacher and share the concern.
• If an alternate novel is requested, the teacher, parent and student work together to determine the alternate.
• The alternate novel should support the theme being taught in class.
• The alternate novel may be selected from the approved reading list or mutually agreed upon by the teacher and the parent.
• The teacher and parent will agree upon the amount of participation in class discussion the student may have.

Must a student who opts out of reading a specific novel leave the room and work independently?

No. The parent, teacher and student work together to determine how the student studies the alternate novel. Students may participate in all, some or none of the classroom discussion depending on the agreement. The guidelines for the alternate novel clearly state that whenever possible, the student will remain in the classroom. The teacher and student may agree to meet outside of class to discuss the student's work.

How many students have opted out of a reading assignment this year?

As of January 2005, fewer than ten students across the district have asked for an alternative reading selection for the 2004-05 school year.

Has the petition impacted what is currently being used in the classroom?

No. The district will continue to follow Board Policy 4600 and the processes stated in that policy. A novel will be chosen on its merit, how well it meets the objectives and themes of the curriculum and whether it meets the criteria of Policy 4600.

What are the 14 books that the petition asks to be removed?

• All The Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy
• Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver
• The Awakening by Kate Chopin
• The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver
• Beloved by Toni Morrison
• Black Boy by Richard Wright
• Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers
• Hot Zone by Richard Preston
• I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
• Lords Of Discipline by Pat Conroy
• One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
• Song Of Solomon by Toni Morrison
• Stotan by Chris Crutcher
• This Boy's Life by Tobias Wolff

Is the high school Communication Arts curriculum being reviewed? When will this review be complete?

Last June, the Board of Education approved the benchmarks (objectives students are expected to master) for the district Communication Arts curriculum kindergarten through grade twelve. A committee of representative high school teachers is determining themes that meet the benchmarks for each course. This work and the selection of the novels for the revised courses should be complete before school starts in Fall 2005. The criteria for Policy 4600 will be a part of the selection process, as will revising current rationales and writing new rationales for each novel.

Will all of the books on the current list of approved novels be on the updated list?

In theory, the reading list will always be a work in progress. Due to the on-going work of the committee, we do not know what the new list of approved novels will be. The list may or may not be similar.

I keep hearing about required reading. Is the reading really required?

The district refers to the APPROVED READING LIST, because these are novels used in the district classrooms. Since a student may opt out, the reading is not required.

Is it against district policy to have vulgar language, sexual explicitness and violent imagery in materials used in district classrooms?

Policy 4600 states that gratuitous language that is vulgar, sexually explicit or violent is not appropriate for our students. Gratuitous means unnecessary and unwarranted-the author has included images or words that do not enhance or add value to the novel's purpose. This statement does not mean that novel selections will be void of vulgar language, sexual explicitness or violence.

Advanced Placement classes often include mature novels. I hear that the AP test does not require them. Is this true?

The Advanced Placement tests include essays that can tie to more than one novel. AP does not give a list of required novels. The AP organization does give a list of authors whose works should be read. In addition, teachers have tracked the novels most often mentioned on the AP exams and do often assign those texts.

Is assigning an alternate novel really a practical solution to the concerns of parents? What might the assignment look like?

Yes. An alternate novel following the same theme will allow the student to learn similar skills. Teachers often differentiate instruction in all courses following district Policy 4311. Differentiation means that teachers give individual students different assignments to complete course objectives based on the needs of the individual student.

How does Policy 4610 work if I want to have a book removed from the curriculum (challenge)?

• Someone wishing to remove a book from the curriculum must first contact the teacher.
• If the individual cannot reach agreement with the teacher, the individual should take the complaint to the building principal.
• The principal will give the individual the appropriate forms to complete.
• When the forms are complete, they are returned to the principal.
• The principal will select a committee of parents, staff and students to hear the appeal.
• If the building committee findings are not satisfactory to the individual with the complaint, he/she may appeal to the superintendent.
• The superintendent will appoint a district committee.
• If the individual does not agree with the district committee decision, he/ she may appeal directly to the Board of Education.
• The Board will consider the issue and inform the individual with the complaint of any formal action taken.

It is our understanding that the Board has already removed the books from schools. Is this true?

No. The Board will allow Policy 4600 to guide the educational professionals with selecting learning resources and determining how well novels meet the objectives and themes of the curriculum.

Is the Board listening to patrons concerns on this issue?

Yes. The Board and Administration have received hundreds of emails, voice mails, phone calls and letters on this issue; many from local patrons and a few from around the world. Since January, 10, 2005, the volume of emails related to this issue has been steady and very enlightening. Each communication sent to the board is read and listened to by the entire Board of Education. Please, keep the communication coming. We appreciate the feedback and insight. However, due to the volume of email the board is receiving on this issue, and personal time constraints, board members may or may not be able to respond to each email unless specially asked to do so. If you have a specific question that requires an immediate response please contact individual board members directly or the appropriate administrator as listed on this Web page: www.bluevalleyk12.org/Contacts.cfm

What role do the Blue Valley virtues play in the district curriculum?

Blue Valley teachers routinely find opportunities to weave the Blue Valley virtues into the curriculum. The virtues are especially relevant to the discussion of literature. Through authentic life experiences in the study of literature, students may see the value of the Blue Valley virtues in positive and negative models.

Do we teach the same novels at all four high schools?

Not necessarily. The district provides the approved list of novels for each course to the teachers. Teachers then choose from among the possible selections and assign the novels. Typically, students can expect to be assigned four or five novels per year, but may be asked to read others of their own choosing as well.

Why do readability scores appear to be at lower levels than the level at which the book is recommended to students?

Readability formulas are predictors of reading ease but are not the only criteria for determining readability or the appropriateness of a specific text for an individual student or group of students. Factors used in assigning a reading level to a text may include the number of words in a sentence, the number syllables in a word, the frequency of words, the number of personal pronouns, and the number of prepositional phrases. These characteristics are the surface characteristics of a text. Readability formulas do not take into account the concreteness, abstractness or sophistication of the text. Nor can a mathematical formula take into account figurative or literary language, point of view, chronological development, or assigned and unassigned dialogue. More importantly the formulas do not account for the reader's previous experience with text, the reader's level of interest and engagement or the background knowledge brought to the reading. The formula tells you that a student can decode the material, that is, read the words, but doesn't tell you if the student can understand the content. Readability formulas alone cannot predict how well students will comprehend a given text. Experts and authorities in the field of reading use multiple factors in determining what text is best used to meet the needs of students.

One aspect that impacts the difficulty of a novel is length of novel. Recently Renaissance Learning changed their readability index to count pages as well as words in sentences. Consequently, a book like The Count of Monte Cristo with 1488 pages will now have a higher readability level than a novel that is shorter like All the Pretty Horses with 320 pages. Unfortunately, the scale Renaissance Learning uses does not consider content or maturity of themes or message.

A readability formula or lexile score is only a beginning for the experienced classroom teacher. The teacher must consider the audience for the reading as well as meeting curricular standards. Standards are based on state and local expectations and help teachers know what to teach. As teachers identify materials, they are cognizant of a large variety of factors.

If you are interested in more information about readability, please contact your school library media specialist.

How can I contact the Board of Education and Administration to let them know my feelings on this issue?

You may email the entire Board and superintendent. Additional contact methods are located at the following link: http://www.bluevalleyk12.org/boe/profiles.cfm

Thank you for taking the time to stay informed on an important educational issue. These Frequently Asked Questions will be updated as new questions arise. Please check this Web site for occasional updates.