Relevant Policies Stephanie Wohl Spring 2009 FRIT 7132 Bibb County Public Schools

Policy
Use of Internet (Revised June, 2006)

Strengths
Internet services will be made available to all schools. All students and staff will follow Board of Education Acceptable Use Policy when using the Internet at school.

Weaknesses and/or Changes Needed

This county wide policy was last revised 3 years ago. The Media and Technology Committee should revisit the Internet use policy more often with greater emphasis put on what is acceptable. No new information is needed, but I suggest reviewing the policy at least every two to three years, as students needs and technology might change.

School Media/Technology Committee Requires that each school have a media/technology committee.

Responsibility strengths:

Reflects the needs of the particular school the committee represents Addresses building media concerns within the framework of the http://www.bham.wednet.edu/staff/TechnologyPlanCommittee.htm systems media/technology policies Evaluation of the program and the effectiveness as an integral part of the learning environment

There is no change needed, but I would like to share a link I found to a past Technology Plan for Bellingham Public Schools in WA. I think this is an excellent example of something all LMP could benefit. The purpose, vision, and goals are all clearly stated. This is an ongoing plan from 2007-2010 for the technology committee to review existing plans, investigate new technologies, revise, and implement new strategies. Board members are clearly identified. Responsibilities, the timeline, and budget implications are included.

Scheduling and Accessibility

Flexibly Scheduled Media Center The media Center is accessible for students and teachers in groups or as individuals simultaneously throughout each instructional day. There is not a weeding or deselecting policy in place in Bibb county.

There is no change needed for this policy. This policy supports the principles described in Information Power: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs.

Weeding

A weeding policy is needed and necessary in the media center to keep the collections current, under control, accessible and inviting. The Baltimore County Public Schools has an extensive policy for selection criteria for library media centers. This policy supports the principles described in Information Power: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs.
http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/office/admin/selection.html

Copyright

Bibb County BOE abides by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code, 1976) Review by school/system Media/Technology Committee members and/or faculty Recommendations made in national review publications including review sections of journals and professional organizations All textbooks on The Georgia Textbook List

There is no change needed for this policy. Guidelines are available as needed in each school library media center.

Evaluation and Selection

There is no change needed for this policy. There is a section on our schools website that allows the parents and students to tell our Media Specialist of a book they would like her to order and why. I know this is not an official evaluation and selection, but what better way to know what your students want to read and will read than by asking?

Non-School Owned Print and NonPrint Media

All non-school owned media will be evaluated by the same criteria as in the evaluation and selection policy before being used in the classroom. The materials and media shall be supportive of the curriculum being taught and shall be included in the lesson plan.

There is no change needed to this policy. Again, the Baltimore County Public Schools has an excellent policy that supports, and sites, the principles of Information Power: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs, ALA, and the NCTE.
http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/office/admin/selection.html