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EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES POLICY
Phil & Jennie Gaglardi Academy

Introduction

Effective July 1, 2016, independent school authorities are required to have policies and
procedures on how learning resources are chosen for use in schools. The learning resources
requirement is authorized under the authority of the Independent School Act, Section 4(1)(b)
which states:

On application by an authority, the inspector must issue or renew a certificate classifying an independent school into one or more of the groups set out in the Schedule if the inspector is satisfied that the authority and the independent school meet (b) the educational standards established by the minister, and Section 4 of the Ministerial Order 41/91, the Education Standards Order. The Ministry of Education no longer conducts evaluation processes to recommend learning resources, leaving the responsibility to the school authority. This policy sets out the procedures that determine how learning resources are chosen, as well as how concerns or challenges will be addressed by Phil & Jennie Gaglardi Academy.

Definition of Learning Resources

Learning Resources are textbooks, workbooks, videos, software, and instructional materials that
teachers use to assist students to meet the expectations for learning defined by provincial and
local curricula. This policy is specific to learning resources which form the core program
collection of resources.

Learning resources used in the classroom will be evaluated by the Education Committee and
recommended by the Dean Academics. Under the authority and acting on behalf of the Board
of Northgate Christian Education Society, the School Director will have final approval of
classroom learning resources.

under authority and acting on behalf of the will give consideration to

Learning Resources Approval Process

Education Committee
Phil & Jennie Gaglardi Academy will instruct teachers to utilize education resources that are
formally evaluated by the “Education Committee” before being used in the classroom. The
Education Committee will give consideration to curriculum fit, pedagogy, social considerations,
age and developmental appropriateness, as well as the school authority’s philosophical, cultural
and/or religious values. Using the approved Evaluation Form, the process of evaluation and
recommendation of the Education Committee will follow these guidelines.

  1. Teacher only resources
    • Education Committee consists of two Committee members one of which must be the Dean of Academics and a practicing teacher preferably in the grade level and subject area for which the resource will be used.
  2. Purchase of Student textbooks
    • Education Committee consists of a minimum of three Committee members one of which must be the Dean of Academics, the school Comptroller, and a practicing teacher with knowledge of the subject area and the age-and-stage of child development.
  3. Purchase of entire or complete educational program 
    • Education Committee consists of a minimum of four Committee members one of which must be the Dean of Academics, the school Comptroller, and a minimum of two practicing teachers with knowledge of the subject area and the age-and-stage of child development.

Evaluation Criteria

The general evaluation criteria used in determining appropriate learning resources for Phil &
Jennie Gaglardi Academy will include, but are not limited to:

  • Supporting the learning standards and outcomes of the BC Education curriculum including course Big Ideas, Core Competencies, content and skills.
  • Assisting students in making connections between what they learn in school and its practical application in their lives.
  • Addressing developmental and age (ie age-and-stage) appropriateness.
  • Having effective instructional and technical design.
  • Meeting the requirements set by copyright and privacy (PIPA) legislation
  • Suitability based on the pedagogical, social, philosophical, and religious values of Phil & Jennie Gaglardi Academy.
  • Recognizes the diversity of learning styles within a classroom.

The Ministry of Education expects approved learning materials used in the school to:

  • encourage understanding and promote positive social attitudes and respect for diversity and individual learning differences.
  • ensure that students see themselves and their life experiences, within a free, pluralistic, and democratic society.
  • Identify where controversial or offensive elements may exist in the content or presentation, and highlight where resources might support positive social attitudes, diversity, and demonstrate tolerance and respect for individual differences.

Necessary inclusion criteria for resources:

  • consistent with a biblical worldview
  • free from violence and licentiousness
  • does not support illegal activities

Authority Approval

With notification to the Board of Directors, the School Director will approve resources used by
Phil & Jennie Gaglardi Academy which then become recommended resources for a five-year period until they are withdrawn. The school teaching staff may continue to use the approved learning resources after five years if the School Director grants an extension of an additional five-year period.

Learning resource material is recommended for approval to the School Director by the
Education Committee and is confirmed by signature of the School Director once evaluation and
inclusion criteria has been met and the School Board has been notified at a regular scheduled
board meeting.

Withdrawal of a Recommended Learning Resource

Approved Learning Resources will remain active for a maximum of five years, after which the
resource will be subject to a review by an Education Committee (see below). Continued
approval will be subject to, but not limited to, criteria such as curriculum relevance, currency,
and availability.

The recommendation of withdrawal will be made by the Education Committee of at least two
representatives from the School, one being the Dean of Academics and the other a practicing
teacher with at least three year’s experience preferably in grade level and subject area for which the resources are used. The recommended scope of professional learning resources for review include Primary (Gr K-3), Intermediate (Gr 4-7), and Secondary (Gr 8-12).

Learning resource material is recommended for approval to the School Director by the
Education Committee and is confirmed by signature of the School Director once evaluation and
inclusion criteria has been met and the School Board has been notified at a regular scheduled
board meeting.

Challenge to the Use of Authority Recommended Learning Resources

Challenges to the use of authority approved learning resources must be made in writing to the School Director, identifying the learning resource and stating the reason why the resource(s) may not be suitable. Challenges will only be accepted from individuals in the school community whose children are directly engaged with the learning resource(s), educators who use the resource(s) or Ministry of Education staff. Within 14 days of written receipt of a learning resource challenge, the

School Director will convene a meeting of the Education Committee, consisting of a minimum of three representatives of the school, one of whom must be the Dean of Academics and the others, practicing teachers. The practicing teachers must have at least three years of experience in the grade level(s) and subject area(s) for which the resource is used.

Based on the committee’s recommendation, the School Director, with notification to the School
Board, may dismiss the challenge, raise the awareness of the implications of using the resource
with the teaching staff, communicate with the publisher and/or withdraw the recommended
resource from further use in the school.

The individual issuing the challenge will be notified of the committee’s decision in writing within
14 days of the decision.

Sources of Learning Resources

Phil & Jennie Gaglardi Academy may use the services of the Education Resource Acquisition
Consortium (ERAC) to assist them in choosing or approving learning resources.
Other Resources could include:

  • Experts in SD71
  • Open Education Online Resources
  • Textbook Publishers
  • FISA
  • ACSI – Heather Sorrenson, Phil Hills
  • Other Independent Schools

 

Approved by the FISA Board of Directors, March 24, 2017
Approved by the Northgate Christian Education Society Board on April 26, 2017
Policy Manual, School General