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INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS OBJECTION HEARING

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Dr. Tracey Miller

Chief Academic Officer

Doug Konopelko

Coordinator of Digital Learning

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This is our story.

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The Run-Down

Statute
School Board Policy
Adoption Process
Objections
Hearing Officer
Hearing
Publisher/District Input
Report
Outcome

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Statute

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Statutes pertaining to Instructional Materials

FLDOE Provided: Resources

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Objection Language 1006.28

New language in 2017

Parents or residents of the county must be given the opportunity to proffer evidence for objection, including materials that do not meet the criteria of s. 1006.31(2) or s. 1006.40(3)(d), F.S.

Must be aligned to state standards
Must be accurate, objective, balanced, non inflammatory, current, free of pornography and other concerns outlined under the law

Instructional Materials Objection Hearing

2. Each district school board must adopt a policy regarding an objection by a parent or a resident of the county to the use of specific instructional materials, which clearly describes the process to handle objections and provides for resolution

8. Establish the process by which instructional materials are adopted by the district school board, which must include:

a. A process to allow student editions of recommended instructional materials to be accessed and viewed online by the public at least 20 calendar days before the school board hearing and public meeting as specified in this subparagraph. This process must include reasonable safeguards against the unauthorized use, reproduction, and distribution of instructional materials considered for adoption.

b. An open, noticed school board hearing to receive public comment on the recommended instructional materials.

c. An open, noticed public meeting to approve an annual instructional materials plan to identify any instructional materials that will be purchased through the district school board instructional materials review process pursuant to this section. This public meeting must be held on a different date than the school board hearing.

d. Notice requirements for the school board hearing and the public meeting that must specifically state which instructional materials are being reviewed and the manner in which the instructional materials can be accessed for public review. The hearing must allow the parent of a public school student or a resident of the county to proffer evidence that a recommended instructional material does not meet the criteria provided in s. 1006.31(2), taking into consideration course expectations based on the district’s comprehensive plan for student progression under s. 1008.25(2) and course descriptions in the course code directory.

9. Establish the process by which the district school board shall receive public comment on, and review, the recommended instructional materials.

10. Establish the process by which instructional materials will be purchased, including advertising, bidding, and purchasing requirements.

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School Board Policy

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School Board Policy

Policy - Selection and Adoption of Instructional Materials

Instructional Materials Review Process
Process for Parents and Residents to Contest Adoption of Instructional Materials

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Adoption Process

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Adoption Process

Timeline for 2017-2018

Follows statute and policy

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Objections

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Objections

Policy

Filing a Petition within 30 days
Timeline for Hearing (within 30 days)
Hearing Officers
Procedures for Hearings

One Sample Objection

Biology (Miller and Levine)
Elevate Science (Miller, Padilla, Wysession) grade 7

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Hearing Officer

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Hearing Officer

School Board Attorney

Qualified, unbiased; Not associated with the district
Familiar with standards and educationese

Provided list of 3 to School Board
Selected Ned Julian- Seminole County

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Hearing

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Hearing Summary

5 Petitioners concerning 2 books

2 attended hearing

Petitioners objection summary: Each textbook limits the discussion of the origin of life to Darwin’s Theory of Evolution to the exclusion of other theories and a discussion of authorities that question the “gaps” in the Theory of Evolution.
District testimony: District is obligated to teach the course standards as identified by FLDOE and instructional materials must align

Final Steps

Received Final Order for Board Action

CLICK HERE

FOR PROCEDURE

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Hearing

Prepared Scripts

Issue Statement
Opening
Rebuttal Comments
Closing

Hearing Logistics

School Board Meeting Room
Board Not Present
Open to the Public

Final Steps

Received Final Order �for Board Action

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Hearing

Preparation: Binder

Instructional Materials Objections
Instructional Materials Adoption Timeline
Science Progression Pathways
Course Descriptions
School Board Policy
Fl Statutes
Standards and Responses

Science Standards
Publisher Responses

SSA Test Specifications

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Dedicated Resources

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Dedicated Resources

$2,000

$1,000

100 hours

Hearing Officer

Hearing Transcript

Staff Time for Planning and Preparation

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Publisher Response

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Publisher Response

Response from the publisher linked here �(publisher response begins on page 2).
Response addressed all the objection�items.
Written by one of the book’s authors.

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Report

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Final Order

Board adoption of materials- March 20 (30 day objection window opens)
Hearing- May 9 (no later than 30 days after objection window closes)
The Hearing Officer issued an Order (within 14 days- May 23) recommending the School Board enter a final order upholding the adoption of Biology by Miller and Levine, and Elevate Science by Miller, Padilla, and Wysession
The School Board voted (June 5) to accept the recommendation and uphold the adoption
Final Order - Linked here

Instructional Materials Objection Hearing