Learning Resources: Challenges to the Use of Recommended Learning Resources

Date came into force or revised

Issued and in effect August, 2002

Status

Deleted

Policy Statement

The Ministry is responsible for dealing with formal complaints about the use of recommended learning resources. Concerns regarding the use of district approved resources are resolved at the district level.

Rationale or purpose of the policy

This policy is intended to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the Ministry of Education and Child Care and school districts in cases where concerns arise regarding the use of learning resources.

Authority

Under the authority of the School Act (PDF), Section 168 (2) (e):

168 (2) The minister may make orders for the purpose of carrying out any of the minister's powers, duties or functions under this Act and, without restriction, may make orders…

(e) governing educational resource materials in support of educational programs

Section 3 of Ministerial Order 333/99, the Educational Program Guide Order (PDF), should be referred to in conjunction with this policy:

3. (1) A board or francophone education authority may only use the following educational resource materials:

(a) resource materials in an educational program guide specified in section 1 of this Order;

(b) resource materials in a document referred to in column 1 of Table 1;

(c) the educational resource materials referred to as authorized or recommended in the most recent "Catalogue of Learning Resources," published from time to time by the Ministry of Education and Child Care;

(d) other educational resource materials that, subsequent to the publication of the Catalogue referred to in paragraph (c), are designated by the minister as authorized or recommended; and

(e) educational resource materials that the board or francophone education authority considers are appropriate for individual students or groups of students.

(2) Before a board or francophone education authority uses educational resource materials referred to in subsection (1) (e), the board or francophone education authority must approve those educational resource materials in accordance with evaluation and selection criteria and procedures established by the board or francophone education authority.

Policy in full

Concerns regarding the use of Recommended learning resources should first be addressed, and if possible resolved, at the school or district level.

Concerns regarding the use of Recommended learning resources that cannot be resolved locally are referred to the Ministry.

Challengers must complete the Inquiry into the Suitability of a Learning Resource form (PDF, 3.51MB) and submit it directly to the Ministry.

The Ministry will acknowledge the challenge and refer it to the Educational Resource Advisory Committee.

Based on the Committee's recommendations, the Ministry's actions may include cautions to teachers, communications with publishers, and/or withdrawal of Recommended status for materials deemed inappropriate for school use.

Information regarding any cautions or withdrawal is communicated to districts.

Challengers receive an individual response informing them of actions taken, with a copy to the district superintendent.