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The Manchester Board of School Committee approves the viewing of appropriate videos/DVDs/supplemental electronic resources during school and at school-sponsored activities.  The videos/DVDs/supplemental electronic resources, in total or in part, selected for viewing must have educational value and show a direct link to the instructional learning objectives or the approved curriculum.  Videos/DVDs/supplemental electronic resources shall be listed in the course syllabus at each of the high schools.

Student engagement, rather than passive modes of instruction, is more beneficial to students.  Therefore, the above mentioned videos/DVDs/supplemental electronic resources are to be used both appropriately and sparingly. 

The Superintendent shall draft regulations/procedures for the implementation of this policy.

USE OF VIDEOS/DVDs/SUPPLEMENTAL ELECTRONIC RESOURCES REGULATIONS

The following guidelines represent Board policy regarding how and when movies and videos may be used as an instructional strategy to supplement approved course curriculum.

1. The showing of movies and videos must be limited to a specific educational purpose.  General selection criteria should include quality of the overall work, fair and accurate representation of the facts, the reputation and significance of the writer, director and/or performer, and critical acclaim of the work itself.

2. At least ten (10) days prior to the showing, the instructor/teacher shall submit to the principal, in writing, the following information on videos/DVDs/supplemental electronic resources that require parental notification:

   • Title and brief description

   • Purpose for showing the movie/video

   • Match with course objectives

   • Proposed date(s) of viewing

   • When and how parents shall be notified, or, if necessary, grant their consent

   • Audience rating (G, PG, PG-13)

3. Parents shall be notified two (2) school days prior to the showing of a G, PG, PG-13, or segment of R-rated video/DVD/supplemental electronic resource.

4. Age-Appropriate Movies:

Elementary School Level:  Only G-rated movies may be shown without parental permission.  However, parents must be notified that the movie will be shown in class.  Any PG-rated movie to be shown at the elementary level requires a signed, written consent from a parent/guardian that must be kept on file before the student may view the video.

Middle School Level:  Only G-rated movies may be shown without parental permission.  Any movie with a PG-rating to be shown at the middle school requires parental/guardian notification.  Any movie with a PG-13 rating to be shown at the middle school requires a signed, written consent from a parent/guardian that must be kept on file before the student may view the video.

High School Level:  Only G, PG, and PG-13 rated movies may be shown without parental permission.  Only certain segments having a valid educational purpose of any R-rated movie may be shown.  Any segment of an R-rated movie to be shown at the high school requires a note signed by a parent/guardian that must be kept on file before the student may view the video.

5. The Board discourages the showing of any R-rated movie in school.  However, the Board also recognizes that some segments of certain R-rated movies may have a valid educational purpose.  Therefore, R-rated movies shall not be shown in their entirety, and segments shall be shown only if no other means of instruction can present the information.  Signed, written permission must be granted by a parent/guardian before the student may view the video.

6. A rented or privately owned movie or video may only be shown in the classroom provided the following exceptions are satisfied:

   • The movie or video is shown in the course of face-to-face teaching activities

   • The showing of the movie or video is directly related and matches course objectives

      

7. Videos/DVDs/supplemental electronic resources shall not be shown on the day prior to school vacations or on early release days without submitting the requirements under #2 and approval from the building principal.

Revised from: 6/8/09, 8/9/10

First Reading Coordination: 5/14/13

Second Reading and Adoption by BOSC: 5/29/13