I. Purpose
GREEN Charter School shall provide instructional materials that support its educational mission, curriculum, and South Carolina academic standards. Materials shall be selected and reviewed in a manner that is educationally sound, age- and developmentally appropriate, and consistent with applicable South Carolina laws and State Board of Education regulations.
II. Selection of Instructional Materials
Instructional materials include textbooks, novels, library books, digital resources, videos, supplemental materials, and other resources made available to students for instructional purposes. Before materials are purchased or made available to students, school staff shall consider:
Alignment with South Carolina academic standards and the school's curriculum; Age and developmental appropriateness; Academic quality, accuracy, and educational value; Appropriateness of content for the intended grade or course; Professional reviews or other reliable information when available; Accessibility and usability;
Cost and available alternatives. Materials shall be reviewed as a whole and in the context of their intended educational purpose.
III. State-Adopted Materials
The school shall comply with applicable requirements governing state-adopted textbooks and instructional materials, including S.C. State Board of Education Regulation 43-70. Locally selected supplemental materials shall not be used to circumvent state adoption requirements.
IV. Responsibility for Selection
The Director of Teaching and Learning or designee shall establish a reasonable process for reviewing and approving instructional materials. Teachers and other instructional staff may recommend materials. The Director of Teaching and Learning or designee may consult teachers, curriculum leaders, library/media staff, parents, or other appropriate individuals when reviewing materials.
The Board of Trustees retains overall responsibility for the school's instructional-materials policy and shall take action on formal reconsideration matters when required by applicable law or regulation.
V. Public Information
The school shall maintain a current list or catalog of instructional materials made available to students as required by S.C. State Board of Education Regulation 43-170. Parents and legal guardians may request information about instructional materials used or made available to their student, subject to applicable law and reasonable school procedures.
VI. Reconsideration of Instructional Materials
A parent or legal guardian who has a concern about an instructional material is encouraged to first discuss the concern with the teacher, library/media specialist, or school administrator.
If the concern is not resolved, the parent or legal guardian may submit a formal complaint to the Director of Teaching and Learning using the procedure and form established by the South Carolina Department of Education pursuant to Regulation 43-170.
GREEN Charter shall process formal complaints within 90 days in accordance with Regulation 43-170, including applicable requirements for Board review, public meetings, decisions, and appeals to the State Board of Education. This will include a formal review committee composed of educators, administrators, parents, and community members. A material shall not be removed solely because an individual or group disagrees with the ideas or viewpoints expressed in the material.
VII. Compliance
The Director of Teaching and Learning shall ensure that the school maintains procedures necessary to comply with S.C. State Board of Education Regulations 43-70 and 43-170, as well as other applicable state and federal requirements. If this policy conflicts with applicable law or regulation, the law or regulation shall control.
Instructional Materials Complaint Form