KRS 156.407: Selection of instructional materials reviewers -- Review and evaluation

process -- State-approved list of instructional materials and programs.

(1) The chief state school officer shall, not later than one (1) academic year following

the aca demic standards and assessment review process established in KRS

158.6453 for reading and writing, mathematics, science, and social studies,

recommend at least eight (8) nominees for instructional materials reviewers who

previously served on advisory panel s or review committees under KRS 158.6453

for the content area or areas being reviewed.

(2) The State Quality Curriculum Task Force shall review and approve instructional

materials reviewers based on the chief state school officer's recommendations as

specified in KRS 156.405.

(3) The department's curriculum and instruction specialists shall serve as staff to the

task force and reviewers and shall:

(a) Orient and train the task force and reviewers regarding departmental policy

and review procedures; and

(b) Make available existing academic standards, the model curriculum framework

established in KRS 158.6451, and selection criteria and evaluation forms for

the review of instructional materials.

(4) The instructional materials reviewers shall develop subject specific criteria for

instructional materials selection and evaluation, including but not limited to the

following areas:

(a) Subject content, including its alignment to the academic standards and

expectations established in KRS 158.6453;

(b) Audience;

(c) Format, including print, nonprint, and electronic modes of instruction;

(d) Readability and accessibility for all learners;

(e) Accuracy and evidence of a research basis with external validity and

reliability;

(f) Cultural relevance and freedom from bias;

(g) Projected cost of the materials; and

(h) Ancillary materials.

(5) The task force shall develop general criteria, review and approve subject specific

criteria, and provide the standard criteria and evaluation forms to be used by local

schools and school districts in the evaluation, selection, and use of high quality

instructional materials and programs.

(6) (a) The task force sh all review the work of the instructional materials reviewers

and, based on this review and any of its own reviews of textbooks or

programs, establish the state -approved list of instructional materials and

programs.

(b) The state-approved list of instructional materials and programs shall be free of

factual error.

(c) Copies of all selection criteria and evaluation forms submitted by the

instructional materials reviewers shall be:

1. Made available to task force members and maintained on file within the

department for the duration of the review cycle; and

2. Provided in a consumer guide to schools and districts to aid in the

selection of high quality instructional materials.