jackson county media handbook

Jackson County Media Specialist Handbook

Jackson County School System Media Handbook

Concept of a School Media Program.............................................................. 3 School Media Committee ............................................................................... 4 System Media Committee .............................................................................. 4 Procedures for Media Selection...................................................................... 5 Purchasing and Accounting Procedures for the Media Center ...................... 6 Procedures for Overdue, Lost, and Damaged Media Center Materials ......... 9 Inventory....................................................................................................... 11 Discarding Media Center Materials.............................................................. 12 Supplementary Materials and Guidelines for Their Use .............................. 13 Procedures for Copyright Compliance ......................................................... 14 Collaborative Planning ................................................................................. 16 Appendices ................................................................................................... 17

Media Specialist Handbook 3 Jackson County, Georgia

Concept of a School Media Program

The heart of the contemporary school is the media center. Here instructional resources are catalogued and made available in an inviting, intellectually stimulating, and enriching environment which serves as an extension of the classroom. The focus of today’s education must be on the individual learner and the learner’s unique interests, abilities, and needs. With personalized study has come extensive independent work and a need for a more effective media center. The role of the media specialist involves coordinating learning experiences, resources, personnel, and curriculum. Individualized study takes place by exploring a wide variety of multi-media including but not limited to audio cassettes, CDs, videos, DVDs, television programs, computer programs, and the internet, as well as printed materials. In an ever-changing world, the media program must be an integral part of the teaching and learning process, so that students can use resources of all kinds to locate, evaluate, and apply information. Media specialists work collaboratively with teachers to integrate information literacy skills with units of instruction as the unit is being taught. The most important goals of the media center are to give quality service to all users, to become the hub around which instructional programs revolve, to strive to have resources available for every student, and to improve instruction.


School Media Committee

A. Appointment An instructional media committee shall be appointed by the principal in each school in collaboration with the media specialist. It is highly recommended that the committee be composed of administrator(s), media specialist(s), teachers, students, and community representatives. Each member serves a minimum term of one year and terms are served on a staggered, rotating basis. The committee shall meet biannually and additional meetings may be called by the committee chairperson after consultation with the principal. B. Purpose The media committee makes recommendations and decisions related to planning, operation, evaluation, and improvement of the media program. This committee shall annually evaluate media services and develop a multi-year media plan for budget and service priorities. C. Reconsideration

1. The school media committee will review formal complaints filed at the school, except those involving county adopted core textbooks.

2. Community representative(s) shall be selected from the school parent population by the

principal and the media specialist.

3. The reconsideration committee chairperson shall be selected from the reconsideration committee and elected by the whole committee.

4. Additional representatives from the school community may be added as needed.

5. See Instructions for Reconsideration of Materials. (Appendix F)

System Media Committee

A. Appointment A system level instructional media committee shall be appointed by the Superintendent or his designee. It is recommended that the committee be composed of administrators, media specialists, teachers, students, and community representatives. The committee addresses system media concerns within the framework of existing policies and procedures. The committee serves for a term of one year and meets on a needs basis. B. Appeals

1. The system media committee will review requests for appeals from the schools and deliberate appeals involving core textbooks.

2. The chairperson shall be selected from the appeals committee and elected by the whole

committee.


Procedures for Media Selection

A. Library Media Materials 1. The term “media” includes all materials that are a part of the library/media center

collection; it does not include textbooks and accompanying materials. Media materials may be housed in the media center, resource centers, or classrooms.

2. “Media Center” is the room or complex of rooms designated as library, media center,

instructional materials center or similar terms. B. Selection

1. Media materials and equipment are selected as needed for the instructional program or based on user interest.

2. Materials should be selected to replace those which have been weeded.

3. The media specialist follows procedures established by the principal at the school level

for purchase of media materials.

4. Recommendations for purchase are made based on the school’s media plan. (Appendix A)

C. Sources for Selection

1. Recommendations by teachers, pupils, and administrators. (Appendix B) 2. Appropriate selection guides

Curriculum guides Reviews in professional journals and websites Books recommended in adopted series State Department of Education bibliographies


Purchasing & Accounting Procedures for the Media Center

Purchase Orders The Jackson County Board of Education annually allocates money to each school’s media center based on the school’s enrollment. The media specialist develops a budget based on priorities identified in the school’s media plan. When ordering media materials, media specialists will seek approval from building level administration. Once approval is obtained, the purchase order request is then entered into the AS400 and submitted to the Central Office where it gains final approval. Central Office personnel forward the purchase order to the appropriate vendor; or, if requested, may return it to the media specialist for an attachment. If an attachment is deemed appropriate (i.e., a list of books printed from an online catalog), then a note may be added indicating that the order will contain an attachment. It is important to spend the entire budget, so money does not have to be returned to the state. It is better to slightly over spend then to under spend. When entering purchase orders, complete the process and log back to a menu before leaving your work area. Leaving a workstation with the program running locks up the posting and update functions in the AS400. Budget Codes Procedures for entering purchase orders into the accounting system may vary at each school, but all purchases should be coded using the following budget codes: Fund Year Function Object* Program School Bldg Additional (general) (ed. media services) (media centers)

100- 5- 2220- 610.00- supplies 1310- 01- BES 0- 000000 6- 612.00- comp. software 02- WJPS 7- 615.00- exp. Equipment <$1000 (state) < 3years 03- JCCHS etc. 616.00- exp. computer equip. <$1000 (state) < 3years 04- MES 642.00- books and periodicals 05- NJES 730.00- equipment >$1000 (state) >1 year 06- SJES 734.00- computers >$1000 (state) >1 year 07- BOE 810.00- dues and fees 09-EJMS 11- GS 12- WJMS 16- WJIS 17 - EJES * A complete description of each object category can be reviewed on the Georgia Department of Education web site. Receipt of Order When ordered materials are received, the media specialist is responsible for checking the materials against the purchase order. If all materials have been received and are in acceptable condition, the media specialist signs and dates the “Received” copy of the purchase order noting that the order is complete and sends it to the Central Office so the associated invoice can be paid.


Back Orders Although our purchase orders read “No Backorders,” many vendors continue to send backorder shipments. When you receive an order, check the packing slip or shipping information for backorders. If the vendor is sending a backorder and you wish to receive the item(s), make a copy of your “received” PO, indicate which items have been received and are approved for payment. Sign and date the “received” form and make two copies. Send the PO with the original signature and one of the copies to the Central Office. Keep the other copy to document receipt of the backorder. Repeat this procedure until the order is complete. Be sure to note that the order is complete on the last copy you send and note how many shipments were received. If you do not wish to receive the backordered items, notify the vendor immediately. Lost and Damaged Funds collected on behalf of the library must be reported to the media specialist as soon as possible. All collected money deposited in the school’s Media account should be receipted as outlined in the Principal’s Account manual. All monies collected for lost or damaged library materials must be returned to the original source of funding. Materials purchased through the Jackson County Board of Education will be deposited in the school’s general account and designated as Media. At the end of the school year, a check will be issued to the Jackson County Board of Education for the total amount of money received for these lost or damaged materials. The media specialist should inform the school bookkeeper of the total amount collected for materials purchased through these funds. All monies collected for lost or damaged Piedmont Regional Library books will be deposited in the school’s general account and designated as Media. A school check accompanied by supporting documentation (title and copy number of the book) will be issued to the Piedmont Regional Library for lost/damaged books at the end of each school year. The media specialist should inform the school bookkeeper of the total amount collected for materials belonging to Piedmont Regional Library. All monies collected for lost or damaged library materials purchased through funds at the local school (i.e. book fair funds, PTO/PTSA funds, etc.) or library materials received as gifts to the library will be deposited in the school’s account and designated as Media. This money may be used by the media specialist to purchase replacement materials for the library collection. Money paid for lost library materials can only be refunded during the same school year. Students returning lost items during subsequent years may be given the choice of keeping the item or donating it back to the school library. It is recommended that a bookplate (or other appropriate labeling) be used to indicate the donation. Book Fair If the media specialist is in charge of a book fair, the money generated should be deposited in the school’s General account and designated as Media. The media specialist should ensure that the book fair paperwork is completed and appropriate bills paid.


Individual receipts do not have to be issued for book fair sales IF a cash register that generates individual receipts is used and daily sales can be totaled at the end of each day. If a cash register is used, the register tape total and total money collected must equal. Any discrepancies must be noted on the tape. The register tape must be signed and dated by the media specialist in charge of the book fair. Tape and money collected should be submitted to the bookkeeper who will issue the media specialist a receipt for the day’s total. Audits Auditors take a sample of expenditures and check to see that they are charged to the correct object codes. To avoid an audit finding, expenditures must be charged correctly.


Procedures for Overdue, Lost, and Damaged Media Center Materials

Overdue Books/Materials Overdue notices should be sent on a regular basis. A sample overdue notice from the Follett Circulation system looks like this:

Lost Books/Materials Money collected for lost library books will be deposited in the school media account. When accepting money for lost (or damaged) library books, a receipt must be issued and a copy kept. The barcode number should be written on the receipt in order to prevent a student from returning another copy of the title for reimbursement. It is important to note the funding source for each paid item, so that a check can be sent to the central office at the end of the school year for lost items purchased through the Jackson County Board of Education (see Accounting procedures). If a book that has been paid for is returned by the last day of school (during the same school year), a refund of the amount paid will be made. If the student finds the book after the last day of school, he/she may either keep the book or donate it back to the media center. Damaged Books/Mateirals Damages to library books will be evaluated by the media specialist who will make the proper estimate of damage costs. Books damaged beyond repair will be charged as if lost. The damaged book should be available for the student or parent to see. If a student is required to pay for a book damaged beyond repair, it should be sent home with the student once it has been paid for unless it is a health risk (i.e. extremely moldy). A sample fine notice from the Follett Circulation system looks like this:


Transferring Students The media specialist will sign all clearance forms used by transferring students and make note as to books and/or money owed. It is recommended that a notice be sent to the new school concerning any outstanding books and/or debt owed the library. Books belonging to another school received by a media specialist should be sent to the school of ownership. Every effort should be made to follow through with the return of books and/or fees owed by incoming transferees. Georgia state law (see below) allows schools to establish policy for lost and damaged library books. It is up to the media committee at each individual school to establish a policy regarding lost and damaged library books that is appropriate for the community. Georgia State Code 20-2-1013 (a) The State Board of Education is authorized and directed to inaugurate and administer a system of free textbooks for the public schools of this state. The state board shall have authority to promulgate and enforce such rules and regulations as may be necessary for that purpose. (b) All textbooks, library books, and media materials purchased by local units of administration with state Quality Basic Education Program funds or any other means of acquisition shall remain the property of the local unit purchasing or acquiring them. Each local unit of administration shall establish such policies as it deems necessary for the care and protection of its textbooks, library books, and media materials as a condition to receiving all or part of the state contributed Quality Basic Education Program funds allotted to the local unit. Such policies may include any of the following sanctions against a pupil who fails or refuses to pay for a lost or damaged textbook, library book, or media material at the replacement cost: (1) Refusal to issue any additional textbooks, library books, or media materials until restitution is made; or (2) Withholding of all grade cards, diplomas, or certificates of progress until restitution is made. No local unit of administration shall require any pupil or parent to purchase any textbook, library book, or media material except in cases where the pupil damages, loses, or defaces such item either through willful intent or neglect. (This code may be viewed on the Georgia General Assembly web site http://www.legis.state.ga.us/cgi-bin/gl_codes_detail.pl?code=20-2-1013 .)

http://www.legis.state.ga.us/cgi-bin/gl_codes_detail.pl?code=20-2-1013


Inventory

An annual inventory is required. The usual procedure is to take inventory when most materials are in the media center at the end of the school year. The media specialist may recall media center materials from the students one week before school dismisses for the summer. During this week, the media center must remain open, but services may be limited providing an opportunity for inventory. The exact amount of time allotted for this task will be determined by the principal and media specialist of each school. A one week minimum for inventory is recommended. Teachers should have access to library materials as needed. An inventory report of all books, a-v materials, and equipment should be made available to the appropriate building level administrator. A copy of the completed inventory should be kept on file in the media center. Forms for inventory will be provided by each school and/or inventory reports may be printed using the library management software program. Piedmont Regional Library books on indefinite loan should be included in the local inventory. Piedmont Regional Librarians may also conduct an independent inventory of their materials, as they deem necessary. All teachers should keep an annual, orderly inventory of non-consumable materials that are within their jurisdiction. Media specialists are responsible for seeing that materials that are a part of the formal media center collection are inventoried. Departments and other groups, which have a collection of materials large enough to warrant an orderly inventory, should take care of their own in-house inventory in the manner decided by the principal.


Discarding Media Center Materials

Weeding, the process of removing worn, unused, and outdated print and non-print materials from the collection, is necessary in order to keep an up-to-date media center relevant to the school’s mission and instructional program. When materials are no longer useful in the library collection, they should be clearly marked as discarded and all identifying information (i.e. school name) should be removed. The media specialist is responsible for weeding the print and non-print collection. The Board of Education is responsible for providing a sufficient media budget to allow for weeding the print and non-print collection while maintaining a viable collection and the 10 books per child minimum required for S.A.C.S. (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) accreditation. The options for disposing of these materials are listed below in the order of preference:

1. Offer materials to teachers for classroom use (including cutting them up for pictures).

2. Offer materials for student use if they are being used in conjunction with a class/school project.

3. Discard them. Discarded items should be sealed in a box, envelope, or other container.

Discarded library materials may not be sold in any way by the individual school or given to parents or the community. Media center equipment, computers, and furniture that are no longer useful to the school must be surplused. A list of these items should be made, including serial numbers where appropriate. This list will be used by the superintendent or his/her designee to declare the items surplus. The principal or principal’s designee should be informed so that the necessary steps can be taken to remove the surplused items.


Supplementary Materials and Guidelines for Their Use

1. Supplementary materials, which may include but are not limited to videotapes, prints, slides, sound recordings, software, and most printed material designed to enrich the regular instructional program and core texts, may be selected for use by local school faculties. Criteria for the selection of these materials shall be consistent with the general criteria for materials selection. Supplementary materials, which have not been purchased by the school system, must have prior approval by the administration for use in the classroom and include the period of validity. (Appendix C)

2. The Supplementary Materials Approval form and the material for which approval is

sought should be submitted to the Principal or the Principal’s designee prior to its use.

3. The use of supplementary materials must be documented in teachers’ lesson plans prior to use. A copy of the approval should be attached to the lesson plan.

4. Supplementary resources should be used only if they are an integral part of the unit or

lesson. Objectives should be clearly stated and followed. Teachers should make every effort to incorporate supplementary materials into the lesson in an appropriate manner. (For example, stop a movie from time to time to discuss how it fits into the lesson.)

5. Any concerns about potentially sensitive material should be written on the approval form.

The teacher should have a clear plan about how to handle any sensitive matter and should be present when the sensitive material is used. Teachers are encouraged to send a permission letter to parents if there is a concern.

Note: Some items (such as videos) in the school collection are designated for specific subject areas or grade levels and should only be used in those subject areas or grade levels. For example, the movie “Romeo and Juliet” is intended only for ninth grade English classes.

The preceding guidelines for using supplementary materials have been developed based on Board Policy IFBD, Section III Parts B and C, which state: (B) ……Media Materials and equipment, including gifts and sponsored materials, non-school owned materials, and community resources shall be carefully selected on the basis of their potential contribution to the attainment of system goals and their appropriateness for the purpose and grade level for which they are selected…. (C) Any print of non-print media brought to the school by teachers, students, or parents for possible classroom use shall be subject to the same criteria as that established for school-owned materials. In no instance shall media and/or equipment be used in such a manner as to violate Board Policy or the law.


Procedures for Copyright Compliance

The Georgia Board of Education requires that each school system comply with the Federal Copyright Law (94-553). It is the intention of the Jackson County Board of Education to adhere to this law and policies governing “fair use” of materials for the classroom. Media specialists play an important role in helping teachers and administrators follow copyright guidelines when duplicating print, audiovisual media, or computer software within their building. It is the responsibility of the media specialist to inform the faculty of the copyright law and guidelines. It is the responsibility of the faculty to abide by this law and these guidelines. A summary of copyright guidelines for situations commonly encountered in schools is provided below. For more information you may wish to visit the United States Copyright Office on line at http://www.copyright.gov . Copyright Clearance Form A copyright clearance form should be completed to request authorization to duplicate and/or use copyrighted material. The superintendent will appoint an individual who is responsible for providing copyright information and managing copyright question and clearance on a system-wide basis. The media specialist will serve in this capacity at the building level. (Appendix D) Audio Visuals (Videos, DVDs, etc.) Jackson County policy states that any audio visual (av) materials shown for classroom purposes must be included in the teacher’s lesson plans with objectives for showing the materials. AV materials brought in from outside sources must be approved in advance of showing. (See Supplementary Materials policy.) According to widely accepted copyright guidelines, programs (including news broadcasts) aired on regular television may be recorded and can be shown for up to 10 days after the broadcast. They may be kept for an additional 45 days for evaluation purposes. Recordings of TV broadcasts from educational television may be made and used for educational purposes for a maximum of seven days. AV materials may be rented provided use takes place in areas designated for classroom instruction and are used as part of the instructional program. AV materials must be used in face-to-face instruction and may not be shown for a reward or simply to enrich students (unless public performance rights have been purchased). Students in the classroom cannot be excluded from watching the av materials as a punishment. The av material must be a legal copy. It is illegal to copy programs transmitted via subscription television cable services or “pay” programs via satellite such as HBO or Showtime. Audio Teachers may copy portions of recordings for academic purposes other than performances and use them with students. Multimedia guidelines suggest limiting the portion used to 10 percent and no more than 30 seconds.

http://www.copyright.gov


Multimedia Authoring for curriculum-based projects may include material from CDs, books, the Internet, and other sources. The resulting projects cannot be distributed outside the classroom community, although they can be shared with family members. Literary Works A teacher may make single copies of the following if they are to be used in the classroom or for research: a chapter from a book: an article from a periodical or newspaper; a short story, short essay or short poem; a chart, diagram, drawing, cartoon, or picture from a book, newspaper, or periodical. All printed copying must bear an appropriate reference. An educator may not copy in order to replace or substitute for anthologies, compilations, or collective works. Consumable Materials Educators may not copy from “consumable” works such as workbooks, exercises, standardized tests, or answer sheet. Sheet Music Emergency copies of sheet music may be made for an immediate performance if additional copies have been ordered, but are not available. Any such copy must include a copyright notice. The emergency copies must be destroyed upon arrival of the purchased copies. Internet Taking text and graphics off the Web and using them in projects is acceptable, but posting them back online is not. Posting on an Intranet is permissible since it is viewed as remaining inside the classroom community. Computer Software It is illegal to load the contents of one disk into multiple computers without a license: to load the contents of one disk into the local network without a license; to make or use illegal copies of copyrighted programs on school equipment; or to allow any student to illegally duplicate computer software. (Remember, any material not part of the school collection must be approved using the Supplementary Materials form. Additional information on copyright and supplemental materials use is available in the Media Center.)


Collaborative Planning

Collaborative planning is teachers and library media specialists working together as an instructional team to plan for instruction that integrates information literacy skills and resources with curriculum objectives. The results of such collaboration will be to:

• promote student achievement • promote library media centers as central to the learning environment • promote innovative instructional design • strengthen critical thinking and problem solving skills • provide opportunities for interaction between library media specialists and teachers • promote sharing of resources • promote integration and instruction of information literacy skills with the curriculum • enhance relevant use of all resources in all formats • provide opportunity for teachers to be aware of available resources • promote intellectual freedom and equitable access to information and ideas • strengthen connections with the learning community

In an effort to achieve highly effective schools and media centers, teachers should be encouraged to plan collaboratively with the media specialist. It is suggested that the teacher complete the “Collaborative Planning Sheet.” (Appendix H)

17

Appendices

A. Sample Media Plan Form B. Recommendations for Media Center Purchase C. Request for Supplementary Materials Approval D. Request for Authorization to Duplicate and/orUse Copyrighted Material E. Request for Reconsideration of Media F. Media Challenge and Instructions for Reconsideration of Materials G. Checklist for Reconsideration of Material H. Collaborative Planning Worksheet I. Jackson County Media Specialist Job Description J. Jackson County Media Parapro Job Description K. Jackson County IFBD Policy (Media Centers) L. Jackson County IFBG Policy (Internet Acceptable Use) M. Rules of the Georgia State Board of Education-

IFBD (Media Programs) CGB (Personnel Requirements)

N. Accreditation Standards- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Georgia Accrediting Commission

O. Additional Useful Forms

A

SERVICE PRIORITY

BUDGET PRIORITY

____________ MEDIA PLAN 200__ - 200__

BUDGET

Books/Periodicals Supplies Expendable Equipment Staff Development Software Equipment Computers

B

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MEDIA CENTER PURCHASE

Student’s Name: __________________________________________ Grade: ___________ I would like to see the Media Center purchase more books by the following authors: __________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________

I would like to see the Media Center purchase the following books/magazine titles:

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

Other Recommendations: ____________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MEDIA CENTER PURCHASE

Student’s Name: __________________________________________ Grade: ___________ I would like to see the Media Center purchase more books by the following authors: __________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________

I would like to see the Media Center purchase the following books/magazine titles:

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

Other Recommendations: ____________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MEDIA CENTER PURCHASE Teacher: ___________________________________ Subject Area: _______________________ I would like to request the following items be purchased when funds become available. (Use additional pages and attach catalogs as needed.)

BOOKS

Title Source Order# Price

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

PERIODICALS


______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

VIDEOS


______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

OTHER


______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Date approved ____________________ Valid through ___________________

C

REQUEST FOR SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS APPROVAL

Title of Material ________________________________________________________________

Teacher’s Name ________________________________________________________________

Type of Material __________________________ Length of Material _____________________

Rating (NR if not rated) ____________________ Course/Grade Level _____________________

Source of Material ______________________________________________________________

Date of Request ___________________________ Date to be used ________________________

Unit of Study __________________________________________________________________

Essential Questions _____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Concerns (Would this material possibly raise community or parental objections? Are there sensitive subjects or concepts contained in this material? If so, what? Be specific.) ______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

I have previewed this material and feel it is appropriate for my essential questions. ______________________________________________________________________________

(Teacher’s Signature)

Principal’s Signature: Approved _______________________________ Date ____________

Not Approved _____________________________ Date ____________

Administration Concerns ________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

Audience: Approved for this teacher and this class only.

Approved for use in all classes in same subject and/or grade level area.

Length of approval: current school year only five years

in perpetuity with same learning objectives other: __________________________

(or Principal’s Designee)

D

Jackson County Board of Education 1660 Winder Highway

Jefferson, Georgia 30549

Request for Authorization to Duplicate and/or Use Copyrighted Material

From:

System: Jackson County Schools School _________________________________________

School Address ________________________________________________________________

Telephone ____________________________________________________________________

Person Making Request ________________________________ Title _____________________

To: Date _______________________________

Firm _________________________________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

The Jackson County School System requests authorization to duplicate and/or use the following

copyrighted material:

Number of copies to be made ________ Anticipated date of first use _____________________

Distribution of copies ____________________________________________________________

Producer Reply:

Permission granted denied

Details/Restrictions _____________________________________________________________

Signature _______________________________________ Date ____________________

Title ___________________________________________

Title _______________________________________________________________________

Author _____________________________________________________________________

Medium ____________________________________________________________________

Use of copies ________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

E

REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF MEDIA

School _______________________________________________________________________ Item Description: Author _______________________________________________________________________

Title _________________________________________________________________________

Publisher or Producer ___________________________________________________________

Date of Publication _____________________ Type of Material _____________________

Request Initiated by: Name _________________________________ Phone Number _______________________

Parent Student Administrator Teacher Other ________________

Address ______________________________________________________________________

Does the person making the request represent himself/herself personally or a group or

organization?___________________________________________________________________

If a group or organization, please identify: __________________________________________

Please answer the following questions. (If more space is needed, additional sheets may be attached.)

1. Have you read, viewed, or listened to the material in its entirety? ___________________

2. To what, in the material, do you object? Please be specific; cite pages, etc. ___________

_______________________________________________________________________

3. What do you identify as the theme of this material? ______________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

4. What good features do you identify? __________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

5. For what age group would you recommend this material? _________________________

6. What would you recommend as a substitute for this material, which you would consider

to be of equal or superior quality for the educational purpose intended? ______________

_______________________________________________________________________

7. What would you like your school to do about this book?

do not assign it to my child withdraw it from all students

place the item at another grade level (please specify) ______ other ___________________

Signature _______________________________________ Date ____________________________

F

MEDIA CHALLENGE

A. Jackson County Board Policy states: The right to object to material is one granted by policies enacted by the Board of Education and firmly entrenched in the law. School employees will handle complaints with courtesy and integrity. Criticism of media and instructional materials in Jackson County Schools shall be submitted on an approved form furnished by the principal. All appeals forms are in the Media Handbook. The complaint form will be submitted to the school media committee. Materials that are questioned should be read and analyzed first by the school media committee. Core-adopted materials must be challenged at the system level. If no decision can be reached, appeal may be made to the system-wide committee. This system committee will read and analyze the material and reach a decision. The local Board of Education has the final decision-making power. The complainant has the right to appeal decisions to the next higher level. B. Challenge procedures When a formal complaint against media or instructional materials is received, the principal, curriculum director, and media specialist must be informed. A meeting of the school media committee will be scheduled to review the material and the complaint. The complainant will be notified of the meeting and invited to attend in order to present their completed “Request for Reconsideration” form. Each committee member shall read, view, or listen to the material in question in its entirety and review professional evaluations pertaining to the material. The media specialist will compile professional evaluations of the material in question. The deliberations of the media committee shall be in private. The media committee will meet to:

1. hear the concerns expressed by the complainant; 2. discuss the materials relative to values and faults, appropriateness to grade level,

appropriateness to curriculum, etc.; 3. render a majority decision relative to requested actions. The committee is charged with

answering the question, “Is the material in question appropriate for use by its designated audience?”

The committee’s decision may be to:

1. take no removal action; 2. remove all or part of the challenged material from the total school environment (School

Media Committee); or from the school system (System Media Committee); 3. limit the educational use of the challenged material; or 4. place the material at another grade level.

Within five working days of the media committee meeting, the chairman shall: 1. officially notify the complainant in writing of the decision reached and advise of the right

to appeal; and 2. file a copy of the Request for Reconsideration Form and all communications with the

Central Office. Decisions made at the school level apply only to that individual school.

C. Appeal procedures An appeal of the school media committee’s decision must be made within ten working days following the official notification.

• The complainant shall address a written request for appeal to the curriculum director. The system media committee will be convened to review the appeal.

• The curriculum director shall notify other principals of the appeal. • The system media committee may refer to “Checklist for School/System Media

Committee Reconsideration of Material.” (Appendix G) • Appeal beyond the system media committee shall be directed in writing to the

Superintendent and the Board of Education. An appeal of the system media committee’s decision must be made within ten working days after formal notification of the decision.

• The complainant shall address a written request for appeal to the Superintendent and Board of Education.

• The curriculum director shall notify the principals of the action taken by the system media committee and/or Jackson County Board of Education.

In the event of a severe overload of challenges, the school or system media committee may appoint a subcommittee of members to review challenges and make recommendations to the full committee. The composition of the subcommittee shall approximate the representation of the full committee. Request to reconsider materials, which have previously been before the committee, must receive approval of a majority of committee members before the materials will again be reconsidered. The committee shall act upon every completed Request for Reconsideration form. (Appendix E)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR RECONSIDERATION OF MATERIALS

The policy of the Jackson County School System related to selection of learning materials states that any resident or employee of the system may formally challenge materials used in the system’s educational program. This policy allows those persons in the school and the community who are not directly involved in the selection of materials to make their opinions known. The task of the media committee is to provide an open forum for discussion of challenged materials and to make an informed decision on the challenge. The reconsideration process, the task of the media committee, is just one part of the selection continuum. Material is purchased to meet an educational need. Periodically material is re-evaluated through updating, discarding, or re-examination. However, the media committee must be ready to acknowledge that an error in selection may have been made despite this process. In reconsidering challenged materials, the role of the media committee and particularly the chairperson, is to produce a climate for a free exchange of ideas. The media committee should begin by finding items of agreement, keeping in mind that the larger the group participating, the greater the amount of information available, and therefore, the greater the number of possible approaches to the problem. The complainant may choose to make an oral presentation to the media committee to expand and elaborate on the complaint. The media committee will listen to the complainant and to those with special knowledge. In these discussions, the media committee should be aware of relevant social pressures, which are affecting the situation. Individuals who may try to dominate or impose a decision must not be allowed to do so. Minority viewpoints expressed by groups or individuals must be heard, and all participants must be made to feel welcome. It is important that the media committee create a calm, nonvolatile environment in which to deal with a potentially volatile situation. To this end, the complainant will be kept continuously informed of the progress of the complaint. The media committee will listen to the view of all interested persons before reaching a decision. In deliberating its decision, the media committee should remember that the school system must be responsive to the needs, tastes, and opinions of the community it serves. Therefore, the media committee must distinguish between broad community sentiment and attempts to impose personal standards. The deliberations should concentrate on the appropriateness of the material. The question to be answered by the media committee is, “Is the material appropriate for its designated audience?” The media committee’s final decision will be: 1) to take no removal action, 2) to remove all or part of the challenged material from the school (school or system media committee) or system (system media committee), 3) to limit the educational use of the challenged material, or 4) to place the material at another grade level. (Appendix E)

G

CHECKLIST FOR SCHOOL/SYSTEM MEDIA COMMITTEE RECONSIDERATION OF MATERIAL

Title: Author/Producer: A. Purpose

1. What is the overall purpose of the material?

2. Is the purpose accomplished? yes no B. Appropriateness

1. Does the material promote the educational goals and objectives of the curriculum of the school system? yes no

2. Is it appropriate for the level of instruction intended? yes no C. Content

1. When factual information is part of the story is it presented accurately? yes no 2. Is prejudicial appeal readily identifiable by the potential reader? yes no 3. Are concepts presented appropriate to the ability and maturity of the potential

readers? yes no 4. Do characters speak in a language true to the period and section of the country in

which they live? yes no 5. Does the material offend in some special way the sensibilities of women or a minority

group by the way it presents either the chief character or any of the minor characters? yes no

6. Is there preoccupation with sex, violence, cruelty, brutality, or aberrant behavior that would make this material inappropriate for children? yes no

7. If there is use of offensive language, is it appropriate to the purpose of the text for children? yes no

8. Is the material free from derisive names that would offend minority groups? yes no children? yes no

9. Is the material well written or produced? yes no 10. Does the material give a broader understanding of human behavior without stressing

differences of class, race, color, sex, education, religion, or philosophy in any adverse way? yes no

11. Does the material make a significant contribution to the instructional program? yes no

12. Are the illustrations appropriate and in good taste? yes no 13. Are the illustrations realistic in relation to the story? yes no 14. Is the material up to date? yes no 15. Is the content of this material well presented by providing adequate depth and

continuity? yes no D. Reviews

1. Source of review: Favorably reviewed Unfavorably reviewed

2. Does the title appear in one or more reputable selection aids? yes no If answer is yes, please list titles of selection aids: Additional comments: Recommendation for use of materials: yes no Explain reasons: Signature of Committee Member __________________________________ Date ________

H

COLLABORATIVE PLANNING WORKSHEET

Teacher’s Name: ______________________________________________________________

Course Title: _________________________________________________________________

Unit of Study: ________________________________________________________________

Essential Question: ____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Resources Needed:

Internet Books Reference Materials

Computer Programs Videos Periodicals/Newspapers

Other __________________________________________

What format will the final product take?

Research Paper Oral Report PowerPoint Presentation

Publisher Document Poster Tri-board

Video DVD CD

Other __________________________________________

How can the media center staff help?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

I

JACKSON COUNTY MEDIA SPECIALIST JOB DESCRIPTION

J

JACKSON COUNTY MEDIA PARAPRO JOB DESCRIPTION

JACKSON COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM POLICIES MANUAL DESCRIPTOR TERM DESCRIPTOR CODE ISSUED Media Centers IFBD 2-14-2005 PAGE 1 of 4 RESCINDS 5-12-2003 I. Philosophy and objectives of School Media Program In Jackson County, commitment to providing quality media programs is evidenced through seeking collaboratively planned, instructionally related, and unified media services that are accessible to teachers and students and effectively managed by media professionals. The Jackson County Board of Education believes that pupils should be accepted into the education program as they are; that they should be provided with a stimulating environment and opportunities for learning experiences designed to promote social, emotional, physical and intellectual development for satisfactory adjustment in a democratic society. The selection of media materials and equipment shall be for a broad spectrum of learning opportunities, for large and small groups of students, as well as for individuals. Media and equipment should be appropriate in terms of various interests, abilities, socioeconomic backgrounds, and maturity levels of the students in the respective schools. The Board of Education believes that principle should be placed above personal opinion and prejudice in the selection of materials in order to assure a comprehensive collection appropriate for the school. The system adheres to Georgia Board of Education policy/standards, state and federal laws, and standards of SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools), and GAC (Georgia Accrediting Commission). The Specific objectives of the media program are:

• to assist in the development of the curriculum and instructional program of the school and support the achievement of curricular and instructional goals;

• to assist teachers as they develop instructional plans and present classroom instruction;

• to provide students and teachers with access to the variety of informational resources and materials necessary to achieve curricular objectives;

• to assist students in the development of the attitudes and skills which will enable them to become life-long learners; and,

• to meet community needs for information to the extent that such efforts do not conflict with services to teachers and students.

II. Professional Responsibility The purchase of instructional materials is legally vested in the Jackson County Board of Education. Each person involved with the instructional program is expected to know and to implement system policies and procedures governing the selection and use of instructional materials and equipment. The responsibility for planning, developing and coordinating the instructional media program is delegated to the Superintendent and/or designees. The media specialist is responsible for performing the functions identified in current state documents. The appointment of the System Media Contact person is made by the Superintendent on an annual basis. The SMCP serves as a liaison between the Jackson County School System and the Georgia Department of Education.

Mark Delgado

K

JACKSON COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM POLICIES MANUAL DESCRIPTOR TERM DESCRIPTOR CODE ISSUED Media Centers IFBD 2-14-2005 PAGE 2 of 4 RESCINDS 5-12-2003 The instructional and media personnel shall plan collaboratively to ensure optimal opportunities for individual student achievement. Each school shall have an annual media plan. A system level instructional media committee shall be appointed by the Superintendent or his designee. It is recommended that the committee be composed of administrators, media specialists, teachers, students and community representatives. The committee addresses system media concerns within the framework of existing policies and procedures. The committee serves for a term of one year and meets at least annually. An instructional media committee shall be appointed by the principal in each school in collaboration with the media specialist. It is highly recommended that the committee be composed of administrator(s), media specialist(s), teachers, students, parents and community representatives. Each member serves a minimum term of one year, on a staggered, rotating basis. The committee shall meet biannually and additional meetings may be called by the committee chairperson after consultation with the principal. III. Media Program Implementation A. Program Priorities Media programs and services shall meet the instructional goals of the system. Implementation of the media program is the responsibility of the principal and should be based on current state documents. Each school shall have a media handbook consisting of written procedures to implement the system’s media policy. B. Selection of Instructional Media The responsibility for the selection of instructional media and equipment is delegated to the professionally trained personnel employed by the school system. Selection of media involves many people: principals, teachers, media specialists, students, parents, system level coordinators. Media materials and equipment, including gifts and sponsored materials, non-school owned materials, and community resources shall be carefully selected on the basis of their potential contribution to the attainment of system goals and their appropriateness for the purpose and grade level for which they are selected. At the building level, the principal will be responsible for recommending library purchases to the system level coordinator. These purchases will be based on courses of study, standards and accrediting requirements, methods of teaching, and individual differences of students and are keyed to the interests and needs of students and faculty. At the system level, the Curriculum Director will have the responsibility of coordinating and placing orders with the approval of the Superintendent. C. Use of non-school owned materials/equipment. Any print or non print media brought to the school by teachers, students or parent for possible classroom use shall be subject to the same criteria as that established for school-owned materials. In no instance shall media and/or equipment be used in such a manner as to violate Board Policy or the law.

JACKSON COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM POLICIES MANUAL DESCRIPTOR TERM DESCRIPTOR CODE ISSUED Media Centers IFBD 2-14-2005 PAGE 3 of 4 RESCINDS 5-12-2003 D. Disposition of materials. The media specialist shall keep records of the disposition of gifts and non school-owned material for a period of three years. Worn or missing standard items will be replaced periodically. Out-of-date or no longer useful materials will be withdrawn from the collection. The principal must approve the removal of materials to be discarded. Old, unusable equipment may be declared surplus and disposed of through system policy. E. Copyright Compliance The Jackson County School System shall adhere to the federal Copyright Law (P.L. 94-553). The System Media Contact Person will be responsible for keeping abreast of copyright law interpretations and changes. This person shall disseminate this information to educators within the school system so that school materials, employees and equipment will not be involved in infringement of this law. F. Organization of Materials and Equipment In keeping with Board policies, each school’s library is designated as the Media Center and librarians will serve as the school’s Media Specialists. All school-owned print and non print instructional materials and equipment (except basic textbooks) shall be organized and made available through each media center. Items purchased with categorical funds and items useful only in one specific instructional area shall be organized for maximum accessibility. Organization of materials shall be based on a nationally recognized system and design for school media centers. Equipment shall be organized so as to provide accurate circulation, maintenance, and inventory records. G. Accessibility of Facilities and Resources Provision shall be made to assure accessibility of the media center for both individual students and groups simultaneously throughout the instructional day during each day of the school year. Provision shall be made for access to media resources to support instruction in any Georgia Board of Education approved course when offered outside regular instructional time. Provision shall be made through the media specialist to facilitate the use of information sources outside the school which are available through cooperating agencies. When the entire class uses the media center, the teacher is the instructional leader. The purpose of the visit is planned collaboratively with the media specialist. All patrons of the media center share a common collection and should strive to return materials on time and in good condition.

JACKSON COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM POLICIES MANUAL DESCRIPTOR TERM DESCRIPTOR CODE ISSUED Media Centers IFBD 2-14-2005 PAGE 4 of 4 RESCINDS 5-12-2003 IV. Media Challenge The right to object to material is one granted by policies enacted by the Board of Education and firmly entrenched in the law. School employees will handle complaints with courtesy and integrity. Criticism of media and instructional materials in Jackson County Schools shall be submitted on an approved form furnished by the principal. All appeals forms are in the Media Handbook. The complaint form will be submitted to the school media committee. Materials that are questioned should be read and analyzed first by the school media committee. Core-adopted materials must be challenged at the system level. If no decision can be reached, appeal may be made to the system-wide committee. This system committee will read and analyze the material and reach a decision. The local Board of Education has the final decision-making power. The complainant has the right to appeal decisions to the next higher level. V. Annual Media Budget and Plans Available funds from local, state and federal agencies shall be allocated so as to assure compliance with any state standards and the accreditation principles of the various accrediting commissions in which the system holds membership. Funds will be allocated to each school media program based on state and local guidelines to meet system and school instructional goals. Each media committee will evaluate its progress and annually prepare its Media Plan to identify and prioritize specific budget and service priorities. The Media Plan will guide expenditures during the year.

Board Policy Descriptor Code: IFBGInternet Acceptable Use

Staff and students should have access to local, national and international information. Providing suchaccess promotes resource sharing, innovation, collaboration and communication. By supporting use ofelectronic services via the Internet, Jackson County Schools recognize its potential to support curriculumand student learning. Internet users are expected to use the Internet as an educational resource. Inaccordance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act, the following procedures and guidelines are used tohelp ensure appropriate use of the Internet in Jackson County Schools.

Student Expectations in Use of the InternetStudents shall not access material that is obscene, pornographic, child pornography, “harmful tominors”, or otherwise inappropriate for educational uses.

●

Students shall not use school resources to engage in “hacking” or attempts to otherwise compromisesystem security.

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Students shall not engage in any illegal activities on the Internet.

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Students shall only use electronic mail, chat rooms and other forms of direct electroniccommunications for school-related purposes.

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Students shall not disclose personal information, such as name, school, address and telephonenumber outside of the school network.

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Any violation of school policy and rules may result in loss of school-provided access to the Internet. Additional disciplinary action may be determined in keeping with existing procedures and practicesregarding inappropriate language or behavior. When and where applicable, law enforcement agencies maybe involved.

Staff Expectations in Use of the Internet

Staff shall not use access material that is obscene or is child pornography.●

Any violation of school policy may result in loss of school-provided access to the Internet. Additionaldisciplinary action may be determined in keeping with existing procedures and practices. When and whereapplicable, law enforcement agencies may be involved.

Jackson County Schools - Board Policy Manual

http://www.gsbaepolicy.org/Policyprintable.asp?PC=IFBG&S=4091&C=&RevNo=1.12 (1 of 2) [8/30/2005 10:03:39 AM]

Mark Delgado

L

http://www.gsbaepolicy.org/Policyprintable.asp?PC=IFBG&S=4091&C=&RevNo=1.12

Enforcement of PolicyJackson County Schools use a technology protection measure that blocks or filters access to someInternet sites that are not in accordance with the policy of Jackson County Schools.

●

The technology protection measure that blocks or filters Internet access may be disabled by aJackson County Schools staff member for bona fide research purposes by an adult.

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A Jackson County Schools staff member may override the technology protection measure that blocksor filters Internet access for a student to access a site with legitimate educational value that iswrongly blocked by the technology protection measure that blocks or filters Internet access.

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Jackson County School staff will monitor students’ use of the Internet, through either directsupervision, or by monitoring Internet use history.

●

Jackson County Schools Date Adopted: 2/14/2005

Jackson County Schools - Board Policy Manual

http://www.gsbaepolicy.org/Policyprintable.asp?PC=IFBG&S=4091&C=&RevNo=1.12 (2 of 2) [8/30/2005 10:03:39 AM]

http://www.gsbaepolicy.org/Policyprintable.asp?PC=IFBG&S=4091&C=&RevNo=1.12

Code: IFBD

160-4-4-.01 MEDIA PROGRAMS.

(1) REQUIREMENTS. (a) Each local board of education shall adopt a media policy that 1. Provides for the establishment of a media committee at the system level and at each school. 2. Requires development of procedures for the school system and for (i) Selecting materials locally, (ii) Handling requests for reconsideration of materials, (iii) Considering gifts of instructional resources, (iv) Using non-school owned materials, (v) Complying with copyright law. (b) The local school superintendent shall appoint a system media contact person to serve as liaison to the department. (c) Each school shall have a media center staffed by media personnel in accordance with Rule 160-5-1-.22 Personnel Required and shall develop processes to implement system media policy and procedures. The following shall be included in school program implementation. 1. A plan for flexibly scheduled media center access for students and teachers in groups or as individuals simultaneously throughout each instructional day. Accessibility shall refer to the facility, the staff, and the resources and shall be based on instructional need. 2. A media committee that makes recommendations and decisions related to planning, operation, evaluation and improvement of the media program. This committee shall annually evaluate media services and develop a multi-year media plan for budget and services priorities. 3. Collaborative planning that includes joint determination by media specialist and teachers to ensure use of media center resources and services that support on-going classroom instruction and implementation of the state-adopted curriculum. Authority O.C.G.A. § 20-2-167; 20-2-168(b); 20-2-182(f); 20-2-184. Adopted: May 14, 1998 Effective: June 15, 1998

Mark Delgado

M

Code: CGB

160-5-1-.22 PERSONNEL REQUIRED.

(1) DEFINITIONS.

(a) Base-size school - a school that has a minimum unweighted FTE count asfollows:

Grades K-5 450Grades 6-8 624Grades 9-12 970

(b) Base-size school system - a school system with a minimum unweighted FTEcount of 3,300.

(c) Combination school – a school with any of the elementary grades, kindergartenthrough grade five, contiguous with one or more of the middle grades, grades sixthrough eight; or a school with any of the middle grades, grades six through eight,contiguous with one or more of the elementary grades or contiguous with one or moreof the high school grades, grades nine through 12; or a school with any of the highschool grades, contiguous with one or more of the middle grades.

(d) Initial allotment sheet - the allotment sheet sent to the local school system eachspring that informs local system personnel of the Quality Basic Education (QBE)earnings they will have for the operation of their schools the following school year.

(e) Mid-term adjustment allotment sheet – the allotment sheet sent to the localschool system that reflects the recalculation of the total amount of QBE earningsneeded for the continued operation of schools for the current fiscal year.

(f) New school – a school that has reported full-time equivalent program counts inthe October count, has an approved new school facility code issued by thedepartment, and has reported a principal on the October certified personnelinformation report under the new facility code.

(g) School – for 2000-2001 school year, a facility with a principal of recordreported for the preceding year. Thereafter, a school is a facility that reported aprincipal on the October certified personnel report. Beginning in 2001-2002, thisdefinition shall not include schools on the same campus sharing facilities unless theschools operate as a combination school.

(h) Unweighted full-time equivalent (FTE) count - total number of enrolledstudents by segments in each program specified by law, divided by six. A segmentequals one-sixth of a school day.

160-5-1-.22 (Continued)

(2) REQUIREMENTS.

(a) Each local school system shall employ system-level personnel for the followingpositions according to the unweighted full-time equivalent (FTE) count as shown onthe midterm adjustment allotment sheet.

1. Each local school system shall employ a full-time superintendent to serve aschief administrator of the school system and executive secretary of the local board ofeducation.

2. Each base-size school system shall employ a full-time curriculum director(title may vary) to ensure that the system’s instructional program will have thecontinuity essential for a quality program.

(i) If less than base size, a local school system shall provide the services of acurriculum director part-time or contract for services across system lines.

(I) A school system with an FTE count of 1,650-3,299 shall provide the services ofa curriculum director no less than half-time or contract across system lines for no lessthan half-time services.

(II) No more than 4,125 FTE may be served by a single individual under contractfor curriculum services.

3. Each local school system shall provide school psychologists sufficient to satisfyfederal and state rules and additional legal obligations incurred through courtagreement.

4. Each base-size school system shall employ one full-time visiting teacher/schoolsocial worker.

(i) If less than base size, school systems shall provide the services of a visitingteacher/school social worker part-time or contract for services across system lines.

(I) A school system with an FTE count of 1,650-3,299 shall provide visitingteacher/school social worker services no less than half-time or contract across systemlines for services no less than half-time.

(II) No more than 4,125 FTE may be served by a single individual under contractfor visiting teacher/school social worker.

2

160-5-1-.22 (Continued)

(III) A school system may meet this requirement with an attendance officer in lieuof a visiting teacher/school social worker provided the attendance officer wasemployed in the school system prior to July 1, 1990, the employment has beenuninterrupted and the attendance officer is paid from local system funds.

5. Each base-size school system shall employ at least one full-time schoolnutrition program director to perform required system-level school nutritionprogram functions.

(i) A school system of less than base size having five or more schools shall, at aminimum, employ a school nutrition program director-trainee on a part-time basis.

(ii) A school system of less than base size having four or fewer schools shall, at aminimum, employ the services of a full-time classified nutritionmanager/supervisor to perform required system-level school nutrition programfunctions.

(I) A school system may meet either of these requirements with a noncertifiedschool nutrition director provided the individual was employed as director in theschool system prior to September 1, 1980, the employment has been uninterrupted,and the individual has participated in annual staff development approved by thedepartment.

6. Each local board of education shall adopt a staffing formula for school nutritionpersonnel (other than managers) which, as a minimum, provides for producing 10.6meals per labor hour on a systemwide basis.

7. Each local school system with 200 special education FTE shall employ a full-time special education director to provide services for the special education studentpopulation that will satisfy federal and state rules and additional legal obligations.

(i) School systems with fewer than 50 special education FTE shall designate a staffmember to coordinate the special education program.

(ii) One-fourth position is required for each 50 special education FTE up to 200.

(iii) One-fourth position is required for each 63 special education FTE above 200.

8. Each school system shall employ a full-time person to manage and/or providecentral office accounting services.

3

160-5-1-.22 (Continued)

9. A school system operating vocational programs under an approved Local Plan forVocational and Technical Education shall employ a full-time vocational director for300 or more vocational education FTEs.

(i) A school system operating vocational programs with 150-299 vocationaleducation FTEs shall employ at least a half-time vocational supervisor.

(ii) A school system operating vocational programs with 149 or fewer vocationaleducation FTEs shall employ at least a one-fourth-time vocational supervisor.

(iii) Supervisors employed half-time or fourth-time shall hold leadershipcertification or a teaching certificate in a vocational field and shall attend the staffdevelopment program for new vocational supervisors.

10. A school system shall employ school counselors; technology specialists; andart, music, and physical education specialists equivalent to the number of wholepositions earned as reflected on the school system’s midterm adjustment allotmentsheet.

11. A school system shall employ the number of teachers earned for the regularkindergarten, the kindergarten early intervention, the primary grades, and the primarygrades early intervention programs combined—adjusted for maximum class sizes—asprovided on the school system’s mid-term adjustment allotment sheet.

12. A school system shall employ the number of teachers earned for the remaining14 QBE programs combined; said requirement shall be 5 percentage points less thanthe school system’s requirement as calculated in paragraph (2)(a)11 above.

13. A school system shall employ a full-time principal for each school. Theprincipal shall supervise all personnel, programs and services available at theassigned school.

(i) A school system shall employ at least a half-time assistant principal for eachschool with 600 FTEs or higher and shall add a half-time assistant principal for eachadditional 600 FTEs .

14. A school system shall employ a full-time media specialist for each base-sizeor larger school.

(i) A school system shall provide no less than half-time services of a mediaspecialist for each school less than base size and shall provide adult supervision in themedia center for the entire instructional day.

4

160-5-1-.22 (Continued)

15. A school system shall employ a full-time classified school nutrition programmanager for each school to supervise the daily operation of producing and servingmeals to students.

(i) In systems for which the department has approved a satellite operation, one full-time school nutrition program manager may serve more than one school.

(b) Personnel employed with responsibilities in areas for which the ProfessionalStandards Commission issues a certificate shall possess the appropriate validcertificate and meet the in-field requirements of certification rules.

Authority O.C.G.A. § 20-2-167; 20-2-180; 20-2-181; 20-2-182; 20-2-183; 20-2-184;20-2-185; 20-2-186; 20-2-187; 20-2-240; 20-2-695; 20-2-696.

Adopted: September 14, 2000 Effective: October 5, 2000

5

SACS CASI Accreditation Standards © 2005

ACCREDITATION STANDARDS 2005for Public Schools serving students in Kindergarten through Grade 12

Council on Accreditation and School Improvement

Mark Delgado

N

SACS CASI Accreditation Standards © 2005 page 7

Accreditation Standards for Quality Schools

Standard 6 Resources

The school has sufficient human, financial, physical, and material resources to support itsvision, mission, and goals.

Human Resources

In fulfillment of this standard, the school:

6.1 Employs an administrative head and administrative or supervisory assistants who have an earned graduate degree with 18 semester hours in administration or supervision (as a part of, or in addition to the degree) from an institution recognized by a U.S. regional accrediting agency**; (see note 1, 2, and 4)

6.2 Provides and assigns staff that is sufficient to meet the vision, mission and goals of the school:

* After employing one professionally qualified librarian or media specialist, the school may employ a professionally qualified technology or information specialist,assigned to the library media center, to meet the requirement.

6.3 Employs instructional personnel who have an earned bachelor’s degree that includes 12 semester hours of professional education (as part of, or in addition to the degree) from an institution recognized by a U.S. regional accrediting agency**; (see note 2 and 4)

6.4 Employs instructional personnel who have a college major (at least 24 semester hours) in their assigned field; (see note 1 and 2)

1 Professional personnel that meet the qualifications for certification or licensing by the state in which employed are in compliance.2 Professional personnel who do not hold the required degree or have not earned the specified credits must be actively enrolled in a program that

leads to meeting the requirement within three years. Active enrollment means earning at least six semester hours of credit per academic year.3 Six semester hours of credit is equivalent to 120 clock hours of participation in professional development activities, e.g., workshops,

seminars, conferences; and peer review team visits. (see page 18, Appendix D)4 Professional personnel who have training or experience that might be equivalent to the specified credits may request with justification that the State

Council accept such training or experience in lieu of all or part of the requirement. (See page 16, Appendix B and page 17, Appendix C)

** U.S. Regional Accrediting Agencies: Southern Association Colleges and Schools; North Central Association of Schools and Colleges; MiddleStates Association of Colleges and Schools; Western Association of Schools and Colleges; New England Association of Colleges and Schools;and the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools.

Membership 1 - 249 250 - 499 500 - 749 750 - 999 1000 – 1249 1250 – 1499 1500 - up

Administrative 1 1 1 1 1 1 1HeadAdministrative or 0 .5 1 1.5 2 2.5Supervisory 0 (elem) .5 (elem) 1 (elem) 1.5 (elem) 2 (elem)Assistants

Guidance .5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3Professionals .5 (elem) 1 (elem) 1.5 (elem) 2 (elem) 2.5 (elem)

Library or Media .5 1 1 1 2* (secondary) 2* (secondary)Specialists 1 (middle-elem) 1 (middle-elem)

Support staff for 1 2.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6administration, .5 (elem) 1 (elem) 1.5 (elem) 2.5 (elem) 3 (elem) 3 (elem) 3 (elem)library media, ortechnology

One (full-timeequilvalent)staff membershall be addedwhere neededfor eachadditional 250students over1,500.



6.5 Employs counselors and media specialists who have an earned graduate degree in their assigned field from an institution recognized by a U.S. regional accrediting agency**; (see note 1 and 2)

6.6 Requires all professional personnel to earn at least six semester hours of credit or the equivalent during each five years of employment; (see note 3)

6.7 Implements a system of employee evaluation that protects the privacy of the individual and uses the results to improve performance;

6.8 Ensures that paraprofessionals are under the supervision of professional personnel and are qualified and trained to perform in their area of their responsibility;

6.9 Maintains and observes written policies relating to the qualifications, selection, training,and assignment of substitute teachers;

6.10 Ensures that all personnel are allocated time and resources for professional development activities;

6.11 Includes in the master schedule planning time unencumbered by instructional or supervisory responsibilities for each classroom teacher; and

6.12 Maintains class sizes that are consistent with state or federal guidelines and that support the learning process.

Financial Resources


6.13 Budgets sufficient resources to support its vision, mission, beliefs, educational programs, and action plans for improvement;

6.14 Monitors all financial transactions through a recognized, regularly audited accounting system;

6.15 Controls all funds raised in the name of the school; and

6.16 Implements a remuneration plan for all members of the staff that recognizes the administrative head as the highest paid employee.

1 Professional personnel that meet the qualifications for certification or licensing by the state in which employed are in compliance.2 Professional personnel who do not hold the required degree or have not earned the specified credits must be actively enrolled in a program that

leads to meeting the requirement within three years. Active enrollment means earning at least six semester hours of credit per academic year.3 Six semester hours of credit is equivalent to 120 clock hours of participation in professional development activities, e.g., workshops,

seminars, conferences; and peer review team visits. (see page 18, Appendix D)

SACS CASI Accreditation Standards © 2005 page 9


Physical Resources


6.17 Complies with applicable local, state, and federal laws, standards, and regulations;

6.18 Maintains the site, facilities, and equipment to provide an environment that is healthy and safe for all occupants;

6.19 Possesses and implements a plan for maintaining and improving the site, facilities, and equipment; and

6.20 Provides facilities, equipment, and a site necessary for effective implementation of the instructional and extracurricular programs.

Material Resources

In fulfillment of this standard, the school operates a library media center that:

6.21 Maintains a comprehensive materials collection consisting of current media, books,reference sources, and periodicals in print and electronic formats that support student learning, the curriculum, and the instructional program;

6.22 Provides a balanced collection of a minimum of 10 books per student; (see note 5 and 6)

6.23 Ensures that all students and staff members have regular, ready access to media services,materials, and equipment;

6.24 Employs a currently accepted circulation system for materials;

6.25 Provides training on effective use of media resources for students and members of the professional staff;

6.26 Ensures that the media staff collaborates with other professional staff members to attain maximum benefit from the resources;

6.27 Possesses a policy and procedure for responding to challenged materials;

6.28 Budgets sufficient funds for library media services and resources, including equipment,to support the curricular and instructional programs; and

6.29 Possesses and communicates a policy on use of the Internet.

5 Middle and Secondary Schools with enrollment in excess of 1,500 students must provide at least 15,000 usable volumes. Elementary Schools with enrollment in excess of 1,000 students must provide at least 10,000 usable volumes. New schools must have at least four volumes per student upon opening and meet the collection requirements within three years.

6 Books available in electronic format may be counted for up to 25% of the number of books required for the school. In determining the number of books available in electronic format, the same title should be counted only once.



APPENDIX D

Guidelines for Earning Equivalent Credit for Professional Growth

Human Resource Indicator 6.6 on page 8 of the Accreditation Standards 2005 states, "Infulfillment of this standard, the school requires all professional personnel to earn at least sixsemester hours of credit or the equivalent during each five years’ of employment."

Six semester hours of credit is equivalent to 120 clock hours of professional developmentactivities such as workshops, seminars, conferences, serving on peer review teams, and othertraining activities.

If professional personnel elect to earn any of these hours through equivalent activities, thefollowing guidelines apply:

Each school or school system is responsible for approving, monitoring, and maintainingappropriate records that reflect each professional staff member’s activities related to thefulfillment of the standard for accreditation requirement.

Activity DescriptionEquivalent

CreditIn-service

Meetings orConventions

Travel

Presentations orPublications

Self Study or PeerReview Team

Workshops, seminars, and meetings that are sponsored bythe school or school system. Such activities must have aclearly defined purpose and are designed to improve theprofessional competency of the participants.

Professional meetings or conventions that are sponsored bya collegiate institution, an educational system, or aprofessional association and covers topics of professionalinterest relevant to an individual’s responsibilities for theschool.

Travel shall involve professional experiences designed toincrease the competence or expertise of the staff memberin their field of work. A diary of the trip must be preparedby the staff member and filed with their personnel record.

Publications on educational topics or papers presentedat professional seminars.

Participation in a self-study or serving on a peer reviewteam for the purpose of accreditation.

10 clock hours of staffdevelopment units = 1/2semester hour of credit

12 clock hours = 1/2semester hour of credit

8 to 14 day diary = 1/2semester hour of credit

2,000 word publication or 25 minute presentation = 1/2semester hour of credit

Participation = 1 semesterhour of credit

Georgia Accrediting Commission

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• Initial Accreditation Forms

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• Pre-Kindergarten Forms

GAC Standards forElementary School Programs

Any school containing grades one (1) through five (5) must apply as an elementary school. An elementary school may be a school with any combination of kindergarten (K) through grade eight (8). The following standards for elementary school programs are to be used by principals of schools who are making application for Provisional, Accredited, or Accredited With Quality status for programs in their schools. The number of standards required to be answered affirmatively in order for the school to meet the 85% required by the Commission for Accredited status is given at the beginning of each section of standards.

I. Organization(For Accredited status 12 affirmative answers are required, including standards 1 through 9)

1. The school schedules 180 full school days for students each year.

2. A school day consists of at least six hours, exclusive of lunch and recess periods. (A minimum of a school day of four-and-one-half hours is acceptable for grades one through three. Schools may operate on shortened schedules up to one day for each grading period for teacher-parent conferences.)

3. In grades one through three, classes have a maximum of 25 students, or 33 students if the teacher has a full-time aide. The system-wide average class size in grades one through three is 21.5 or less, or 28.6 or less if teachers have full-time aides. In grades four and five, classes have a maximum of 33 students. The school-wide average class size in grades four and five is 28.6 or less. Remedial classes have a maximum of 18 students or 24 students if the teacher has a full-time aide. (This standard is interpreted as meaning that an aide is required whenever the maximum class size for classes without an aide is exceeded. This means that in grades one through three an aide is required whenever there are 26 or more students in a class and that an aide is also required whenever there are 19 or more students in a remedial class). Mixed-model classes have a maximum of 28 students, including no more than eight remedial students per class.

4. Principals of schools with 7 through 13 teachers have at least one-half time free from teaching responsibilities for administration and supervision. Principals of schools with 14 or more teachers have full time for administration and supervision.

5. A combination school (that is, an elementary and high school under one administration) of 30 or more teachers must have an assistant

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principal. Either the principal or the assistant principal must have major responsibility in the elementary area.

6. All inter-school contests and school-sponsored activities are under the direct and complete control of the school administration. Responsibilities related to school- sponsored activities are not delegated to any person or persons other than school system employees.

7. The Media Center has a minimum of 10 books per student or a minimum of 7 books per student and an annual expenditure of $2.00 or more per student for computer disks, video cassettes, video disks, film strips and other non-print media.

8. Complete and accurate permanent records are maintained for all students.

9. Student records are protected against fire, theft, and damage by being located in a fire-resistant cabinet or a duplicate set of records is located in another area.

10. The school provides each student a minimum of 30 minutes for lunch.

11. The organization of the Media Center collection and the school schedule facilitate maximum use of the collection by pupils during all school hours.

12. Each teacher has at least one 30 minute period per day OP^total of 150 minutes per week during the class day for planning.

13. Student activities include access to health and psychological counseling services.

14. When offered by the school, the weekly meals provide one-third of the recommended weekly dietary allowance of nutrients and include meat or a meat alternate, bread, milk, and fruits and/or vegetables.

II. Personnel(For Accredited status 10 affirmative answers are required including standards 1 through 9)

1. A school with an enrollment of 750 or more students has a full-time assistant principal or an additional certified person designated as an assistant to the principal on a full-time basis.

2. The staff of an elementary school consists of not less than one full-time teacher per grade. There is a minimum staff of six teachers. One of the staff members must be a qualified principal.

3. All teachers employed on a full-time or part-time basis as instructors in the school hold, as a minimum, a Georgia professional certificate or a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 18 semester hours of professional education. An exception may be granted for those teachers issued permits by the Georgia Department of Education. This standard mayalso be met by teachers with bachelor's degrees completing 6 semester hours per year of appropriate professional education until 18 semester hours of credit are obtained.




4. The principal holds a Georgia state administrator's professional certificate. In nonpublic schools, the principal may hold a master's degree with a minimum of 15 semester hours in school administration and supervision.

5. The superintendent or headmaster must hold a Georgia five-year administrator's certificate in order for any school in the system to be accredited. In non-public schools the superintendent or headmaster may hold, as a minimum, a master's degree with a minimum of 15 semester hours in school administration and supervision.

6. The local school board delegates to the superintendent or headmaster all executive and administrative functions, including the nomination of staff personnel.

7. Teachers and all other staff personnel of an individual school are employed only upon the recommendation of the principal to the superintendent or headmaster.

8. Schools with seven through nine teachers have 1 /4-time secretarial service, 10 through 13 teachers have 1/2-time secretarial service, 14 through 16 teachers have 3/4 time secretarial service, and with 17 or more teachers have full-time secretarial service. An elementary school that is a part of a combination school has secretarial service allocated on the basis of the total enrollment of the combination school.

9. Schools with more than 200 students have one person assigned at least one-half time to media services.

10. The qualifications and assignments of Media Specialists conform to the following provisions:

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11. Persons employed as paraprofessionals, auxiliary helpers, or teachers' aides are under the direct supervision of a professionally qualified person.

12. Assistant principals have preparation leading toward a Georgia state administrator's professional certificate or a master's degree with a minimum of 15 semester hours in administration and supervision. Assistant principals who do not meet these requirements earn 6 semester hours in administration and supervision each year until the requirements are met.

13. The governing board of a school system publishes policies that will assure the observance of professional ethics by all concerned and will attract, retain, and promote the professional development of competent school personnel.

14. All teachers who do not hold current Georgia teaching certificates and who have been employed by the school or school system for five years or more have received at least 6 semester hours or 10 quarter hours of college credit, or 10 Continuing Education Units, or 100 contact hours in locally approved professional development activities within the past five years. (This standard will be phased in over a five-year period beginning in Fall 2000).

III. Program of Studies




(For Accredited status 3 affirmative answers are required.)

1. The elementary school curriculum includes objectives that facilitate the development of proficiency in:

(a) listening,(b) expressing ideas effectively and creatively,(c) reading well,(d) writing legibly,(e) spelling accurately,(f) speaking clearly,(g) thinking critically,(h) figuring accurately,(I) observing carefully,(j) solving problems,(k) participating in groups,(1) keeping healthy,(m) enjoying aesthetic experiences, and(n) living in a pluralistic society.

2. The objectives of the curriculum facilitate the development of behavior based upon:

(a) values of honesty and integrity,(b) loyalty to democratic ideals and processes,(c) responsibility for one's own actions,(d) appreciation and desire for the best in our culture, willingness to accept and detect desirable changes, and respect and concern for others,(e) wise use of time, money, and natural resources, and understanding and accepting self.

3. The curriculum is broad in scope and provides for balanced experiences designed for development of basic skills, recreation, health, social living, and aesthetic activities.

IV. School Plant(For Accredited status 24 affirmative answers are required, including standards 1 through 22.)

1. A safety preparedness plan has been developed for the school.2. Fire drills are conducted monthly.3. A natural disaster plan has been developed and drills are conducted yearly.4. Panic hardware is installed and operational on all outside doors except classrooms that open directly to an outside area.5. Electrical and gas outlets and lighting fixtures are in safe condition.6. There is a minimum of 20 square feet of floor space per student in each instructional area.7. Commodes, lavatories, and urinals are clean and operational.8. Fire extinguishers are available and have current inspection labels attached.9. Exit lights are operating.10. All storage spaces are free of fire hazards.11. Equipment on the school grounds is in safe condition.12. Building appears to be structurally sound.13. Drinking fountains are available and operational.14. All exits are free of obstruction.15. In schools with kitchens, equipment is safe and operational.16. An exhaust system is installed in science laboratories and functions




when hazardous fumes are present.17. There is adequate lighting throughout the school plant.18. Science laboratory equipment and furnishings are in safe and operational condition.19. All buildings have a Certificate of Occupancy issued by the Georgia State Fire Marshall. Those buildings not eligible to be issued a Certificate of Occupancy by the State Fire Marshall have an acceptable inspection report by an appropriate local, State, or federal fire official on file.20. Protective eyewear is used in appropriate laboratories.21. Emergency eyewash equipment is provided in labs where chemicals are used.22. Schools of 300 students or less have a school site of at least 4 acres. Schools of more than 300 students have a school site of at least 4 acres plus an additional acre for each 100 students above 300.23. Outside lighting is sufficient to avoid hazards at night.24. Where lockers are present, they are operable.25. Adequate teacher work space is available.26. Shelving in the Media Center is adequate for materials and equipment.27. In schools with lunchroom workers, separate restroom facilities are available for lunchroom workers.28. Automatic door closers are present in areas where food is prepared or consumed.

V. Finances(For Accredited status 5 affirmative answers are required.)

1. All financial activities relating to inter-school contests and all other school-sponsored activities are under the direct control of the principal or headmaster.

2. The monthly and annual salary of the principal is greater than that of any other member of the school staff with the same level of preparation and experience.

3. The annual salary of the superintendent or headmaster is greater than that of any other member of the staff with the same level of preparation and experience.

4. At least $6.00 per student enrolled is spent for library books and other library media, exclusive of equipment, each school year.

5. The school has a system of internal accounting records showing all receipts and disbursements. These records are audited annually by a qualified individual who is not a member of the administrative staff of the school.




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GAC Standards forMiddle/Junior High School Programs

A junior high/middle school may be any combination of grades four (4) through nine (9). The following standards for junior high/middle school programs are to be used by principals of schools who are making application for Provisional, Accredited, or Accredited With Quality status for programs in their schools. The number of standards required to be answered affirmatively in order to meet the 85% required by the Commission for Accredited status is given at the beginning of each section of standards.

I. Organization (For Accredited status 12 affirmative answers are required, including standards 1 through 9)

1. The school schedules 180 full school days for students each year.

2. A school day consists of at least six hours exclusive of lunch and break periods. (Normal class changing time will count as being part of the six hour school day. Schools may operate on shortened schedules up to one day for each grading period for teacher parent conferences.)

3. The maximum individual class size is 33 students or less, and the school-wide average class size is 28.6 or less with the following exceptions:

(a) Remedial classes without aides do not exceed 18 students. (b) Remedial classes with aides do not exceed 24 students. (c) Instrumental music classes do not exceed 100 students. (d) Choral music classes do not exceed 80 students. (e) Physical education classes without aides do not exceed 40 students. (f) Physical education classes with aides do not exceed 53 students.

4. The principal of any junior high/middle school must have at least one-half of his or her time free from classroom responsibilities to supervise instruction. Principals of schools with 14 or more teachers have full time for administration and supervision.

5. All inter-school contests and all other school-sponsored activities are under the direct and complete control of the school administration. Responsibilities related to school-sponsored activities are not delegated to any person or persons other than employees of the school system.

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6. The Media Center has a minimum of 10 books per student or, a minimum of 7 books per student and an annual expenditure of $2.00 or more per student for computer disks, video cassettes, video disks, filmstrips and other non-print media.

7. Complete and accurate permanent records are maintained for all students.

8. Each teacher has at least one 30 minute period during the class day for planning and preparation for instruction.


10. At least 60% of students entering the school enter from accredited feeder schools.


12. The organization of the Media Center collection and die school schedule facilitate use of the collection by the students during all school hours.

13.Student activities include access to health and psychological counseling services.

14.When offered by the school, the weekly meals provide one-third of the recommended weekly dietary allowance of nutrients and include meat or a meat alternate, bread, milk, and fruits and/or vegetables.

II. Summer School (For Accredited status 5 affirmative answers are required.)

1. The summer school program, if offered, is operated in accordance with a normal instructional program. The school system also handles all funds involved in the summer program. In addition, all conditions of Provisional accreditation are met.

2. There are at least 120 clock hours of instruction for each 15 quarter hours of credit or each Carnegie Unit awarded.

3. A school does not grant students more than 25 quarter hours of credit or 11/2 Carnegie Units in a summer school of 30 days or less nor more than 30 quarter hours of credit or two Carnegie Units during any summer school period.

4. No teacher teaches more than two subjects in the same period.

5. Credit is not granted to any student in more than three subject areas during any summer school period.

III. Personnel (For Accredited status 12 affirmative answers are required, including standards 1 through 10.)

1. In addition to the principal, the teaching staff includes five or more full-time qualified teachers in the middle school.




2. A school with an enrollment of 750 or more must have a full-time assistant principal. A combination school of 30 or more classroom teachers must have an assistant principal. Either the principal or the assistant principal must have responsibility in the middle grades area.

3. All teachers employed on a full-time or part-time basis as instructors in the school hold a Georgia State professional certificate or a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 18 semester hours of professional education. An exception may be granted for those teachers issued permits by the Georgia Department of Education. This standard may also be met by teachers with bachelor's degrees completing 6 semester hours per year of appropriate professional education until 18 semester hours of credit are obtained.

4. All Teachers employed in the school hold

(a) a Georgia certificate in their field or possess a bachelor's degree and a minimum of 27 semester credit hours in the field when assigned to teach in grades 7, 8, and 9, or (b) a Georgia certificate as a junior high/middle school teacher in field, or (c)a bachelor's degree and 27 semester credit hours in elementary education when assigned below the ninth grade and have at least 6 semester hours in any field in which they teach.

In the Fall of 2003 this standard is replaced by the following:

All teachers employed in the school hold

(a) a Georgia certificate in field when assigned to teach in grades 6, 7, 8, or 9 or (b) a bachelors's degree and 27 semester credit hours in elementary or middle grades education and have at least 6 semester hours credit in any field in which they teach (equivalent staff development units may be substituted for semester hours).

5. The principal holds a Georgia state administrator's professional certificate. In non-public schools, the principal may hold a master's degree with 15 semester hours in school administration and supervision.

6. The superintendent or headmaster holds a five-year Georgia administrator's certificate in order for any school in the system to be accredited. In non-public schools, the superintendent or headmaster holds, as a minimum, a master's degree with a minimum of 15 semester hours in school administration and supervision.

7. The local school board delegates to the superintendent or headmaster all executive and administrative functions, including the nomination of personnel.

8. Teachers and all other personnel of an individual school are employed only upon the recommendation by the principal to the superintendent or headmaster.




9. Schools with seven through nine teachers have 1/4-time secretarial service, 10 through 13 teachers have '/2-time secretarial service, 14 through 16 teachers have 3/4- time secretarial service, and with 17 or more teachers have full-time secretarial service.


11. The qualifications and assignments of the Media Specialists conform to the following provisions:

Qualifications Time in Media Center Enrollment A minimum of:

Up to 250 12 semester hours One-half day

251-375 12 semester hours Full-time 376-750 15 semester hours Full-time with half-time clerk

751 -1000 master's degree with Full time with full-time clerk S-5 in library media

1001 and above master's degree with Full-time with full-time clerk and 1 S-5 in library media associate media specialist

A junior high or middle school that is part of a combination school has media service allocated on the basis of the total enrollment of the combination school.

12. All persons employed as paraprofessionals, auxiliary helpers, or teachers' aides are under the direct supervision of a professionally qualified person.

13. A school counselor with at least a master's degree and 18 semester hours credit in guidance and counseling or SC-5 certificate is assigned for guidance and testing equivalent to one period per day for each 100 students.

14. Assistant principals have preparation leading toward a Georgia state administrator's professional certificate or a master's degree with a minimum of 15 semester hours in administration and supervision. Assistant principals who do not meet these requirements earn 6 semester hours in administration and supervision each year until the requirements are met.

15. The governing board of a school or school system publishes policies that will assure the observance of professional ethics by all concerned and will attract, retain, and promote the professional development of competent school personnel.

16. All teachers who do not hold current Georgia teaching certificates and who have been employed by the school or school system for five years or more have received at least 6 semester hours or 10 quarter hours of college credit, or 10 Continuing Education Units, or 100 contact hours in locally approved professional development activities within the past five years. (This standard will be phased in over a five year period beginning in Fall 2000).




IV. Program of Studies (For Accredited status 4 affirmative answers are required, including standards 1 through 3.)

1. The following subject matter areas are included in a program of studies for junior high/middle schools: language arts, social studies, science and mathematics.

2. Opportunities for exploration include at least four of the following areas:

• Visual Arts • Computer literacy • Foreign Language • Laboratories in reading and mathematics • Home Economics • Industrial Arts/Technology • Program of Education and Career Exploration (PECE) • Speech and Drama • Group Guidance • Music (general), vocal, and/or instrumental • Business Exploration • Agri-horticulture

3. The academic requirements in grade nine (if the school houses grade nine) insure that students take one unit in language arts and one unit in mathematics or science.

4. Evidence exists of a functioning physical education and health program.

5. All transfer credit that is not from a GAC or SACS accredited school is validated. Acceptance of work endorsed by other accrediting groups is the prerogative of local schools. To validate credit a school may give examinations or may certify satisfactory performance.

V. School Plant (For Accredited status 24 affirmative answers are required, including standards 1 through 22.)

1. A safety preparedness plan has been developed for the school.

2. Fire drills are conducted monthly.

3. A natural disaster plan has been developed and drills are conducted yearly.

4. Panic hardware is installed and operational on all outside doors except classrooms that open directly to an outside area.

5. Electrical and gas outlets and lighting fixtures are in safe condition.

6. There is a minimum of 20 square feet of floor space per student in each instructional area.

7. Commodes, lavatories, and urinals are clean and operational.

8. Fire extinguishers are available and have current inspection labels attached.




9. Exit lights are operating.

10. All storage spaces are free of fire hazards.

11. Equipment on the school grounds is in safe condition.

12. Building appears to be structurally sound.

13. Drinking fountains are available and operational.

14. All exits are free of obstruction.

15. In schools with kitchens, equipment is safe and operational.

16. An exhaust system is installed in science laboratories and functions when hazardous fumes are present.

17. There is adequate lighting throughout the school plant.

18. Science laboratory equipment and furnishings are in safe and operational condition.

19. All buildings have a Certificate of Occupancy issued by the Georgia State Fire Marshall. Those buildings not eligible to be issued a Certificate of Occupancy by the State Fire Marshall have an acceptable inspection report by an appropriate local, State, or federal fire official on file.

20. Protective eyewear is used in appropriate laboratories.

21. Emergency eyewash equipment is provided in labs where chemicals are used.

22. Schools of 300 students or less have a school site of at least 4 acres. Schools of more than 300 students have a school site of at least 4 acres plus an additional acre for each 100 students above 300.

23. Outside lighting is sufficient to avoid hazards at night.

24. Where lockers are present, they are operable.

25. Adequate teacher work space is available.

26. Shelving in the Media Center is adequate for materials and equipment.

27. In schools with lunchroom workers, separate restroom facilities are available for lunchroom workers.

28. Automatic door closers are present in areas where food is prepared or consumed.

VI. Finances (For Accredited status 5 affirmative answers are required.)

1. All financial activities relating to inter-school contests and all other school- sponsored activities are under the direct control of the principal




or headmaster.


3. The annual salary of the superintendent or headmaster is greater than that of any other member of the system staff with the same level of preparation and experience.


5. The school has a system of internal accounting records showing all receipts and disbursements. These records are audited annually by a qualified individual who is not member of the administrative staff of the school.




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GAC Standards for High School Programs

Schools containing grades ten (10) through twelve (12) or any combination of grades ten (10) through twelve (12) must apply as high schools. Schools containing grades seven (7) through twelve (12) or any combination thereof may apply as high schools. The following standards for high school programs are to be used by principals of schools who are making application for Provisional, Accredited, or Accredited With Quality status for programs in their schools. The number of standards required to be answered affirmatively in order to meet the 85% required by the Commission for Accredited status is given at the beginning of each section of standards.

I. Organization(For Accredited status 14 affirmative answers are required, including standards 1 through 11.)

1. The school schedules 180 full school days for students.

2. The school day consists of at least six hours exclusive of lunch and break periods. (Normal class changing time will count as being part of the six hour school day. Schools may operate on shortened schedules for up to one day per grading period for teacher-parent conferences.)

3. The length of each instructional period is at least 55 minutes gross and 50 minutes net. (Schools which have developed flexible schedules or block schedules will not be in violation of this standard providing at least 135 hours of instruction are provided for each Carnegie Unit granted.) The seat time requirement may be waived for up to one Carnegie Unit of Credit per student per school year for independent study and/or distance learningcourses without being in violation of this standard when they successfully complete the exit exams approved by the school for the courses.

4. The maximum individual class size is 35 and the maximum system-wide average class size is 30.8 or less, with the following exceptions:

(a) Remedial classes without aides do not exceed 18 students.(b) Remedial classes with aides do not exceed 24 students(c) Instrumental music classes do not exceed 100 students.(d) Choral music classes do not exceed 80 students.(e) Physical education classes without aides do not exceed 40 students.(f) Physical education classes with aides do not exceed 53 students.

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(g) Co-Op-Supervision class loads do not exceed 56 students.

5. The maximum number of students per teacher per week does not exceed the following:

(a) Physical education - 265 students with aides, 200 students without aides.(b) Instrumental music - 500 students.(c) Choral music - 400 students.(d) Military training - 500 students.(e) Typing or Keyboarding - 175 students.(f) All other classes - 150 students.

(Schools on block schedules where individual classes meet only two or three times per week will be considered as meeting this standard if the average class sizes, based on a five day week, are not exceeded.)

6. The principal of the school has at least one-half of his or her time free from teaching responsibilities for supervision of the instructional program. Principals of schools with 14 or more teachers have full time for administration and supervision.

7. All inter-school contests and all other school-sponsored activities are under direct and complete control of the school administration. Responsibilities related to school- sponsored activities are not delegated to any person or persons other than employees of the school or system.

8. The Media Center has a minimum of 10 books per student or a minimum of 7 books per student and an annual expenditure of $2.00 or more per student for computer disks, video cassettes, video disks, filmstrips and other non-print media.

9. Complete and accurate permanent records are properly maintained for all students.

10. Each teacher has at least one 30 minute period during the class day for planning and reparation for instruction with the following exception. Teachers who are on extended day programs may have planning periods outside the regular class day.


12. The school requires the completion of a four-year course of study above the eighth grade for graduation.

13. At least 60% of the students enter from accredited feeder schools.


15. The organization of the Media Center collection and the school schedule facilitates use of the collection by students during all school hours.




16. Student personnel services include access to health and psychological counseling services.

17. When offered by the school, the weekly meals provide one-third of the recommended weekly dietary allowance of nutrients and include meat or a meat alternate, bread, milk, and fruits and/or vegetables.

II. Summer School(For Accredited status 5 affirmative answers are required.)

1. The summer school program is operated in such a manner that needed supportive services are available to students. The school system also handles all funds involved in the summer program. In addition, all conditions of Provisional accreditation are met.

2. There are at least 120 clock hours of instruction for each 15 quarter hours of credit or each Carnegie Unit awarded.

3. The school does not grant students more than 25 quarter hours of credit or 1-1/2 Carnegie Units in a summer school of 30 days or less nor more than 30 quarter hours of credit or two Carnegie Units during any summer school period.

4. No teacher teaches more than two subjects in the same period.

5. Credit is not granted to any student in more than three subject areas during any summer school period.

III. Personnel(For Accredited status 12 affirmative answers are required, including standards 1 through 10.)

1. In addition to the principal, the teaching staff includes five or more full-time qualified teachers in the high school.

2. A school with an enrollment of 750 or more must have a full-time assistant principal. A combination school (that is, an elementary and high school under one administration) of 30 or more teachers must have an assistant principal. Either the principal or the assistant principal must have responsibility in the elementary area.

3. All teachers employed on a full-time or part-time basis as instructors in the school hold, a Georgia professional certificate or a Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 18 semester hours of professional education. An exception may be granted for those teachers issued permits by the Georgia Department of Education. This standard may also be met by teachers with bachelor's degrees completing 6 semester hours per year of appropriate professional education until 18 semester hours of credit are obtained.

4. All teachers employed on a full-time or part-time basis as instructors in the school hold an in-field Georgia certificate or a minimum of 27 semester hours in the field in which the major part of their teaching lies. All teachers also have a minimum of 6 semester hours in any field in which they teach. An exception may be granted for those teachers issuedpermits by the Georgia Department of Education.




5. The principal holds a Georgia state administrator's professional certificate. In non-public schools, the principal may hold a master's degree with a minimum of 15 semester hours in school administration and supervision.

6. The superintendent or headmaster holds a five-year Georgia administrator's certificate in order for any school in the system to be accredited. In non-public schools, the superintendent or headmaster holds, as a minimum, a master's degree with a minimum of 15 semester hours in school administration and supervision.

7. The local school board delegates to the superintendent or headmaster all executive and administrative functions, including the nomination of personnel.

8. Teachers and all other personnel of an individual school are employed only upon the recommendation by the principal to the superintendent or headmaster.

9. Schools with seven through nine teachers have 1/4-time secretarial service, 10 through 13 teachers have l/2-time secretarial service, 14 through 16 teachers have 3/4 time secretarial service, and with!7 or more teachers have full-time secretarial service.


11. All persons employed as paraprofessionals, auxiliary helpers or teachers' aides are under the direct supervision of a professionally qualified person.

12. The qualifications and assignments of Media Specialists conform to the following provisions:

Enrollment Qualifications Time in Media CenterA minimum of:

Up to 250 12 semester hours One-half Day251-375 12 semester hours Full-time376-750 15 semester hours Full-time with half-time clerk751 - 1000 master's degree with Full-time with full-time clerk S-5 in library media 1001 and above master's degree with Full-time with full-time clerk and 1 S-5 in library media associate media specialist

A high school that is part of a combination school has media service allocated on the basis of the total enrollment of the combination school.

13. A school counselor with at least a master's degree and 18 semester hours credit in guidance and counseling or SC-5 certificate is assigned for guidance and testing equivalent to one period per day for each 100 students. For each additional 500 students or major fraction, an additional full-time counselor is employed.

14. Assistant principals have preparation leading toward a Georgia state administrator's professional certificate or a master's degree with 15 semester hours in administration and supervision. Assistant principals who do not meet these requirements earn 6 semester hours




in administration and supervision each year until the requirements are met.

15. The governing board of a school or school system publishes policies that will assure the observance of professional ethics by all concerned and will attract, retain, and promote the professional development of competent school personnel.

16. All teachers who do not hold current Georgia teaching certificates and who have been employed by the school or school system for five years or more have received at least 6 semester hours or 10 quarter hours of college credit, or 10 continuing education units, or 100 contact hours in locally approved professional development activities within the past five years. (This standard will be phased in over a five year period beginning in Fall 2000).

IV. Program of Studies(For Accredited status 4 affirmative answers are required, including standards 1 through 4.)

1. Twenty-one Carnegie Units of credit in grades 9 through 12 are required for graduation.

2. At least 27 unit courses are taught for credit each year. Each of these 27 units constitutes a full year's work. A school may meet this requirement by alternating foreign language I and II or chemistry and physics.

3. All graduating students meet the following requirements:

English 4 UnitsMathematics 2 UnitsAmerican History-Government 1 UnitOther Social Sciences 2 UnitsPhysical and Natural Sciences 2 UnitsHealth .5 UnitPhysical Education .5 UnitElectives 9 UnitsTOTAL 21 Units

(Effective with the Fall 1997 class of first time ninth grade students, 3 units in Mathematics, 3 units in Physical and Natural Sciences and only 7 Elective units will be required for graduation.)

4. All academic work transferred from a school accredited by the Georgia Accrediting Commission is accepted with the following exception. A student may not be granted credit for more than 30 quarter hours or two Carnegie Units during any summer school period, including transfer credit.

5. Evidence exists that a program of health and physical education is conducted in accordance with accepted practice.

6. All transfer credit that is not from a GAC or SACS accredited school is validated. Acceptance of work endorsed by other accrediting groups is the prerogative of local schools. To validate credit a school may give examinations or may certify satisfactory performance.

V. School Plant(For Accredited status 24 affirmative answers are required, including




standards 1 through 22.)

1. A safety preparedness plan has been developed for the school.

2. Fire drills are conducted monthly.

3. A natural disaster plan has been developed and drills are conducted yearly.

4. Panic hardware is installed and operational on all outside doors except classrooms that open directly to an outside area.

5. Electrical and gas outlets and lighting fixtures are in safe condition.

6. There is a minimum of 20 square feet of floor space per student in each instructional area.

7. Commodes, lavatories, and urinals are clean and operational.

8. Fire extinguishers are available and have current inspection labels attached.

9. Exit lights are operating.

10. All storage spaces are free of fire hazards.

11. Equipment on the school grounds is in safe condition.

12. Building appears to be structurally sound.

13. Drinking fountains are available and operational.

14. All exits are free of obstruction.

15. In schools with kitchens, equipment is safe and operational.

16. An exhaust system is installed in science laboratories and functions when hazardous fumes are present.

17. There is adequate lighting throughout the school plant.

18. Science laboratory equipment and furnishings are in safe and operational condition.

19. All buildings have a Certificate of Occupancy issued by the Georgia State Fire Marshall. Those buildings not eligible to be issued a Certificate of Occupancy by the State Fire Marshall have an acceptable inspection report by an appropriate local, State, or federal fire official on file.

20. Protective eyewear is used in appropriate laboratories.

21. Emergency eyewash equipment is provided in labs where chemicals are used.

22. Schools of 300 students or less have a school site of at least 4 acres. Schools of more than 300 students have a school site of at least 4 acres plus an additional acre for each 100 students above 300.




23. Outside lighting is sufficient to avoid hazards at night.

24. Where lockers are present, they are operable.

25. Adequate teacher work space is available.

26. Shelving in the Media Center is adequate for materials and equipment.

27. In schools with lunchroom workers, separate restroom facilities are available for lunchroom workers.

28. Automatic door closers are present in areas where food is prepared or consumed.

VI. Finances(For Accredited status 5 affirmative answers are required.)

1. All financial activities relating to inter-school contests and all other school- sponsored activities are under the direct control of the principal or headmaster.


3. The annual salary of the superintendent or headmaster is greater than that of any other member of the system staff with the same level of preparation and experience.


5. The school has a system of internal accounting records showing all receipts and disbursements. These records are audited annually by a qualified individual who is not member of the administrative staff of the school.



O

Additional

Useful Forms

COMMUNITY RESOURCE PERSONS

Speaker’s Name: ____________________________________ Teacher: ______________________

Address: _________________________________________________________________________

Phone: _________________________Email: ___________________________________________

Area of Expertise: ________________________________________________________________

Biographical sketch for introduction: _________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Appropriate Grade Level(s): ______________ Length of Presentation: _____________________

Date/Time of Availability: __________________________________________________________

Objectives of Presentation: __________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Resources needed for Presentation: ___________________________________________________

Approved by: ____________________________________________________ Date _________

COMMUNITY RESOURCE PERSONS

Speaker’s Name: ____________________________________ Teacher: ______________________

Address: _________________________________________________________________________

Phone: _________________________Email: ___________________________________________

Area of Expertise: ________________________________________________________________

Biographical sketch for introduction: _________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Appropriate Grade Level(s): ______________ Length of Presentation: _____________________

Date/Time of Availability: __________________________________________________________

Objectives of Presentation: __________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Resources needed for Presentation: ___________________________________________________

Approved by: ____________________________________________________ Date _________

jackson county media handbook

Documents

media specialists

media selection

school media program

instructional media

system media committee

effective media center

georgia school media

damaged media center