Book Challenge and Reconsideration Process
Who can challenge a book or instructional resource?
A parent of a District student, any employee, or any District resident may formally challenge an instructional resource used in the District’s educational program on the basis of appropriateness.
What are the reconsideration process?
A complainant shall make any formal objection to library or classroom materials using the form provided on the District's website. Upon receipt of the challenge, the Superintendent shall appoint a reconsideration committee within ten District business days.
The reconsideration committee shall include five members: one District representative, one campus representative, two parents, and a District-level representative who will serve as chair of the committee.
All members of the committee shall review the challenged library or classroom material in its entirety. As soon as reasonably possible, the committee shall meet and determine whether the challenged library or classroom material conforms to the principles of selection set out in CISD policy. The committee shall determine by majority vote whether or not the challenged library or classroom material shall remain in use. The committee shall prepare a written report of its findings and provide copies to the campus principal, the executive director of curriculum and instruction, the Superintendent, and the complainant within 30 District business days after receiving the objection.
If multiple objections to the same library or classroom material are received by the District, all objections shall be consolidated, and a single reconsideration committee appointed.
The complainant may appeal the decision of the reconsideration committee in accordance with appropriate complaint policies, starting with the appropriate administrator. [See DGBA, FNG, and GF]
What does the formal reconsideration committee consider when making a decision?
The major criterion for the final decision on challenged library material is the appropriateness of the resource for its intended educational use. The plurality opinion in Board of Education v. Pico [see EF(LEGAL)] uses the standard that no challenged instructional resource shall be removed solely because of the ideas expressed therein. The opinion allows the removal of materials because they are pervasively vulgar or based upon the lack of educational suitability of the library material. Further, making a determination of appropriateness shall include a review of and compliance with 47 U.S.C. 254(h)(5) and Penal Code 43.24(a)(2) and (b).
The committee decides if a book is educationally suitable or pervasively vulgar by determining the appropriateness of the resource for its intended educational use. No challenged instructional resource shall be removed solely because of the ideas expressed therein.
The digital reconsideration form may be accessed at each campus library page.