Policy Statement
SelfDesign Learning Foundation (SDLF) is committed to allocating significant resources on a yearly basis to support appropriate educational resource use.
Definitions
Learning Standards – are an explicit statement of what learners are expected to know, understand, and be able to do in a given grade and area of learning.
Learning Resources – are texts, videos, software, and instructional materials that educators use to assist learners to meet expectations for learning defined by provincial and local curricula.
Policy
SelfDesign Learning Foundation will evaluate and approve SelfDesign Learning Community learning resources that form the core program collection of resources with the following considerations (which align with and implement the Learning Resource Selection Model, outlined by Focused Education Resources):
- Curriculum fit – evaluators examine the resource to determine if it supports the philosophy, rationale, and goals of the B.C. curriculum, and to determine the degree to which it supports the big ideas curricular.
- Content – evaluators examine the content of the resource to determine its accuracy and relevancy, to determine if it contains the Canadian perspective necessary to support the learning standards of the B.C. curriculum, and to determine its cognitive and linguistic appropriateness for the intended audience.
- Social considerations – evaluators examine the resource for social considerations to identify potentially controversial or offensive elements that may exist in the content or presentation, and to highlight where resources might support pro-social attitudes and promote diversity and human rights. Evaluation on social considerations must take into account many considerations within a context of community, societal values and standards, to determine the suitability of the resource for instructional use in B.C. schools. Factors to consider may include approaches to multiculturalism, First Nations learning, gender and gender identity, among others.
- Age and developmental appropriateness.
- Design of the resource – evaluators examine the resource to determine the effectiveness of its organization, teaching strategies, and assessment provisions in supporting the goals and objectives of the specific curriculum. Evaluators also examine the various technical aspects of the design of the resource to determine if it enhances learner accessibility and understanding.
- Pedagogy.
- Educational philosophy and policies of SelfDesign.
- Requirements set by copyright and privacy legislation are met.
Protocol
Recommending Resources
The Learning Experience Library and the annual Subscription Survey allow any educator, parent, or learner to recommend a resource (and challenge or appeal the selection process).
- The Learning Experience Library has a form that can be accessed and utilized at any time. The form will go to the Library Manager and Education Program Lead for consideration.
- The annual Subscription Survey, each spring, collects suggestions. (The annual Subscription Survey notes resources that are under utilized are culled each spring as the school year winds down and, following the Learning Resource Selection Model, outlined by Focused Education Resources, new resources are brought on board each fall for the start of a new learning year.).
Approving Resources
As an independent school board authority to SelfDesign Learning Community, SDLF authorizes its certified B.C. educators to approve resources in the following ways:
| Resource | Approval |
|---|---|
| Board authority-authorized (BAA) courses in grades 10-12 | SelfDesign Learning Foundation |
| Community-wide, online subscriptions and webinars in alignment with B.C.’s curriculum, including First Peoples Principles of Learning | Digital subscriptions educator (a trained teacher-librarian, B.C. certified educator) |
| Development of learning experiences in the SelfDesign Experience Library (thematic learning themes and resources in alignment B.C.’s curriculum, including First Peoples Principles of Learning, created by a team of B.C. certified educators) | Educational program lead (B.C. certified educator) |
| Individual learner resources on Learning Plans (updated three times yearly) and in weekly conversation with families | SelfDesign Learning Community educator with support for determining approvability and suitability of resources available from a B.C. certified educator on the leadership team |
| Preferred resource list for use of Learning Resources and Services (LRS) funds to support learning plan goals, which is created and vetted by the Procurement Lead | Education team review |
All educators and decision makers are encouraged to take the ‘Selecting Learning Resources for the Classroom’ course offered by Open School B.C.
Removing Resources
Whether or not resources are community-wide or part of individualized learning plans, those resources that do not adhere to the standards set for SelfDesign Learning Community (i.e., do not follow SDLF’s Environment of Safety, Acceptance, and Respect Policy) are immediately removed.
To request the removal of a resource:
- Learners and/or parents/guardians are requested to contact their learning consultant/educator.
- Educators will contact the education program lead and/or school principal via email.
- The Principals team will gather the feedback from the individual requesting the removal.
- The Principals team will review the learning resource according to the principles outlined in this policy and will make a decision about the removal of the resource.
- Appeals of a decision can be made. Please see the Appeals & Fairness Policy.
Related Documents
- Appeals and Fairness Policy.
- B.C. curriculum.
- Environment of Safety, Acceptance, and Respect Policy.
- First Peoples Principles of Learning.
- Ministry of Education and Child Care Learning Resources Policy.
- ‘Selecting Learning Resources for the Classroom’ Selection course (offered by Open School B.C.).
- Learning Resource Selection Model Focused Education Resources.