What you can do about book banning in your school

Before a Challenge

• Develop a policy for selecting school materials, and establish criteria and procedures for the selection.
• Establish a method for communicating with the community. Keep the community informed of the selection policy as well as educational objectives, curricula, school programs. Provide opportunities for public review and comment on materials being considered for selection.
• Define clear procedures for dealing with complaints.
• Establish guidelines to be used for a formal review of challenged material.
• Create a detailed form for complainants to request a review.
• Identify who will comprise a committee of parents, school personnel, and other community members to review challenged material.
  

After a Challenge

• Meet with the complainant to hear the reasons for the challenge and the complainant's recommendations.
• Explain to the complainant how and why the challenged material was selected.
• Try to resolve the complaint informally. Provide a formal request-for-review form if the complainant still wants to challenge the material.
• Start review procedures immediately upon receiving a written request for review. Inform the school board of the details of the complaint.
• Follow established procedures throughout the review process.
• Communicate openly with the community throughout the review.