Curriculum and book selection
The purpose of this page is to address topics frequently raised in District 220.
District 220’s department of Teaching and Learning is responsible for the implementation of the curriculum review process.
Per the D220 Teaching & Learning webpage, “The purpose of Curriculum & Instruction Review is to develop or adopt research-based, up-to-date, rigorous, high-quality curriculum and instructional models while expanding our knowledge as professionals to make informed, collaborative decisions about teaching and learning.”
There are four stages of the Curriculum and Instruction review process which is on-going:
Stage 1: Research and Plan
Stage 2: Develop
Stage 3: Implement
Stage 4: Monitor and Refine
Details about D220's curriculum review process can be found here on the D220 Teaching and Learning web page.
The Barrington 220 Elementary Core Curriculum Review Cycle Timeline from 2022-2029 can be viewed here.
Instructional materials are reviewed annually.
The Board approved the 2023-24 instructional materials report, which is the district’s annual list of core instructional materials that are being used in classrooms. The memorandum documenting this can be found here.
No, the District 220 School Board has not approved or adopted SB 818, the Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act.
The District 220 board discussed and communicated SB 818 at the following board meetings and newsletter:
- July 12, 2022 Board of Education Meeting: Superintendent Dr. Hunt announced the administration does not recommend adoption of the curriculum associated with SB 818. Board agrees to have the policy committee review policy 6:60 and report back at the August 16 Board meeting.
(You can listen to the discussion about SB 818 beginning at 7:46 in the Board meeting video and again beginning at 2:41:39.)
- July 14, 2022 Board of Education Newsletter: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Board-of-Education-discusses-Senate-Bill-818.html?soid=1134684026588&aid=hlZ-ZNFeSEA
- August 16, 2022 Board of Education Meeting: Superintendent Dr. Hunt again reaffirms the policy committee and administration do not recommend adoption of the curriculum associated with SB 818. You can listen to the discussion about SB 818 at 41:38 in the Board meeting video.
Yes. A parent may fill out a Curriculum Objection form to restrict materials from their child. Furthermore, parents have the ability to inspect any instructional material as written in the BOE policy 7:15, Student and Family Privacy Rights:
“Parents/guardians have the right to inspect any instructional material used as part of their child’s educational curriculum pursuant to Board of Education policy 7:15, Student and Family Privacy Rights.
Persons who believe that curriculum, instructional materials, or programs violate rights guaranteed by any law or Board policy should file a complaint using Board policy 2:260, Uniform Grievance Procedure. Persons with all other suggestions or complaints about curriculum, instructional materials, or programs should complete a Curriculum Objection form. A parent/guardian may request that his/her child be exempt from using a particular instructional material or program by completing a Curriculum Objection form.”
ADOPTED: July 1, 2001
REVISED: December 20, 2016; September 21, 2021.
Source:
District 220 Policy Manual
As stated on the Barrington 220 Library and Procedures document:
“Barrington 220 School Libraries provide a resource-rich environment that empowers personal excellence in each learner, teaches students to become effective users of information and technologies, fosters a love of reading, and promotes lifelong learning.”
A complete explanation of D220’s library procedures including collection management procedures and re-evaluation of materials can be found here:
Barrington 220 Library Procedures.docx
Why does this matter?
It is important to know this information because understanding the purpose and mission of school libraries and their procedures can provide insights into the types of materials that are available to students, the criteria used to select and remove materials, and the overall goals and values of the school district.
This knowledge can be helpful in evaluating the quality and relevance of the resources available to students, and can inform discussions about curriculum, diversity, censorship, and intellectual freedom in education. Additionally, having an understanding of these procedures can help ensure that school libraries are operating in accordance with best practices and legal guidelines.
No.
Superintendent Dr. Robert Hunt confirmed at the August 16, 2022 school board meeting, Gender Queer is only available to high school students via the BHS library.
Source:
Barrington 220 Board of Education Meeting August 16th, 2022 1:15:20
No. The overwhelming majority of neighboring IL districts voted to keep Gender Queer accessible.
A book review committee put the book through the review process when a complaint was filed. The book review committee and the administration’s recommendations were to keep it available to high school students. The board discussed the book at a meeting and narrowly voted to retain the book, 4 to 3.
You can see the discussion here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbmjMgSwVOo
How was this book handled in other districts? Is District 220 the only district that kept this material?
What grades have access to the book?
Superintendent Hunt has confirmed that only high school students have access to the book, both electronically and in person. Any parent can request their student not check the book out of the BHS library.
Is it possible to make it so that my child can NOT check this book out of the library? How does one “Opt Out”?
Yes. A parent may fill out a Curriculum Objection form to restrict materials from their child. Furthermore, parents have the ability to inspect any instructional material as written in the BOE policy 7:15, Student and Family Privacy Rights:
“Parents/guardians have the right to inspect any instructional material used as part of their child’s educational curriculum pursuant to Board of Education policy 7:15, Student and Family Privacy Rights.
Persons who believe that curriculum, instructional materials, or programs violate rights guaranteed by any law or Board policy should file a complaint using Board policy 2:260, Uniform Grievance Procedure. Persons with all other suggestions or complaints about curriculum, instructional materials, or programs should complete a Curriculum Objection form. A parent/guardian may request that his/her child be exempt from using a particular instructional material or program by completing a Curriculum Objection form.”
ADOPTED: July 1, 2001
REVISED: December 20, 2016; September 21, 2021.
Source:
https://boardpolicyonline.com/?b=barrington_220
https://patch.com/illinois/across-il/banned-books-week-what-titles-have-been-removed-some-il-schools
