Code:  IFAA(2) 
 
160-4-4-.20 INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS ADVISORY COMMITTEE.  
 
   (1) DEFINITIONS. 
 
   (a)  Learning Resources – instructional materials and content to include but not be limited to systematically designed material in any medium, including digital instructional materials and content and any computer hardware, software, and technical equipment necessary to support such instructional materials and content, that constitutes the principal source of study for a state funded course to be used in the various grades in the public schools of this state, including the elementary grades and high school grades.  Learning resources include textbooks, ebooks, software, online material and programs and specialized formats, i.e., Braille, audio, digital, DVDs, large-print or other versions. Instructional resources shall also include any materials previously defined by the State Board as "textbook/instructional materials." The Board does not intend any change in this rule to have any effect on current or past textbook contracts. 
 
   (b) State Learning Resources Advisory Committee (state committee) – individuals recommended by State Board members and the state superintendent of schools and approved by the State Board to examine learning resources and to make recommendations. 
 
   (c) State learning resources recommendation (state recommendation) - those learning resources that have been approved by the State Board of Education on recommendations from the state committee, that identifies those learning resources that may be purchased by local school systems with state funds. 
 
   (2) REQUIREMENTS. 
 
   (a) The State Board of Education may select a committee or committees of educators actually engaged in public school work in this state to examine instructional materials and content and make recommendations thereon to the state board.  Such committee or committees may consist of such number of educators as the state board may deem advisable.  They may serve for such time and for such duties as the state board may prescribe and may receive such compensation as may be fixed by the state board. 
 
   (b) In the event that the State Board of Education elects to provide for state approved instructional materials and content, the State Board of Education shall establish a review and recommendation process in accordance with this paragraph. Such process shall include the opportunity for public comment and parental input prior to the adoption of any proposed instructional materials and content. As part of such process, the State Board of Education shall post in a prominent location on its website a list of proposed instructional materials and content for public review, including the version or edition number, if applicable; the state-funded course number for which the instructional resource will be used; and the identification number, in accordance with any guidelines established by the State Board of Education. The State Board of Education shall make all state approved instructional materials and content available for review upon request and may specify reasonable hours for review. If state instructional materials and content are approved, the state board shall designate at least one employee to serve as the contact person for any inquiries related to or requests for review of state approved instructional materials and content and to coordinate its efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under this subsection. 
 
   (c)  Each state committee shall be approved by the state board and shall be composed of members representative of the subject area(s)/grade(s) being recommended.  They shall be selected from each congressional district by State Board members and from the state at large by the state superintendent of schools.  Appointees shall include educators from public schools and the lay public. 
 
   1.  Appointees shall serve until a new committee is appointed to be responsible for consideration of the same subject area(s)/grade(s). 
 
   2.  The state committee shall: 
 
   (i)  Assure that all learning resources submitted during the recommendation  process are evaluated in local communities; 
 
   (ii)  Assure that only those learning resources considered to be of the highest quality are recommended for state recommendation; 
 
   (iii)  Have open meetings; and 
 
   (iv)  Present to the state board a list of recommended titles. 
 
   (d)  Members of the state committee shall not have been employed within the preceding two years by any publisher, producer or distributor of learning resources. Members shall be released from the committee if they accept employment with any author, producer, publisher or distributor of learning resources while serving on the state committee.     (e) While serving on the state committee, members shall not receive any item of value from any author, producer, publisher or distributor of learning resources, except for copies of the sample learning resources to be evaluated.  Members shall not sell or otherwise dispose of samples in any manner that results in personal gain. 

Authority O.C.G.A § 20-2-1010; 20-2-1012. 
 
 
Adopted:  August 18, 2016 Effective Date: September 8, 2016