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Commercial entertainment films or videotapes having substantial educational value may be shown when
appropriate to the age of students and the content and level of the subject being studied and when in compliance
with copyright laws. These guidelines apply to the viewing of all films or videos shown on school premises,
including those used by clubs, school-related groups, co-curricular activities, and Recreation Department
sponsored activities.
In order to meet the provisions of the copyright law, teachers using videotape for classroom use should determine
that the material is part of face-to-face teaching to enhance the current lesson being taught. The content should be
appropriate for the subject and level of the class. Teachers or other District employees may not show commercially
produced videos for entertainment use unless written permission is received from the copyright holder.
Programs which have been taped off the air and do not have extended copyright agreements, must be used in
direct instruction and be in agreement with the "Fair Use Guidelines". Teachers shall refrain from showing students
videotapes of network television performances for which the primary value is entertainment. The same restrictions
apply for Public Broadcast Television (PBS), except for instructional television programs (ITV) which are broadcast
on PBS for specific use in the classroom setting and have extended school license agreements.
Professional judgment should be used in showing documentaries or video clips from a film for instructional
purposes and will not require advanced approval and may not fall into the rated categories below. Teachers may
consider showing the portions of a video or movie that are related to the curriculum or lesson rather than in its
entirety.
Elementary Schools:
A. Staff members should preview films well in advance of student viewing.
B. Films rated "G" may be shown at any school without advanced written notice to parents and in accordance
with the above principles.
C. "PG" or "PG13" shall not be shown to elementary students in the District without the approval of the building
principal and advance written notice to the parents. Such notice shall contain an accurate description of the
contents and the educational value of the film. A parent/guardian not wishing to have his/her children
participate in viewing a particular film may indicate this decision in a note to the teacher. The decision of the
parent/guardian will be respected and an assignment of equal value may be given as an alternative to
attending the showing of such film.
Middle Schools:
A. Staff members should preview films well in advance of student viewing.
B. Films rated "G" or "PG" may be shown at middle school level without advanced written notice to parents and
in accordance with the above principles.
C. "PG-13" shall not be shown to middle school students in the District without the approval of the building
principal and advance written notice to the parents. Such notice shall contain an accurate description of the
contents and the educational value of the film. A parent/guardian not wishing to have his/her children
participate in viewing a particular film may indicate this decision in a note to the teacher. The decision of the
parent/guardian will be respected and an assignment of equal value may be given as an alternative to
attending the showing of such film.
High Schools:
A. Staff members should preview films well in advance of student viewing.
B. Films rated "G" or "PG" or "PG-13" may be shown at high school level without advanced written notice to
parents and in accordance with the above principles.
C. Films rated "R" Internet videos or non-rated films shall not be shown to any students at any level in the
District except as otherwise specifically provided. A "R" rated film may be shown only to high school
students if each of the following conditions are met:
1. The film's content has substantial educational value, is specifically related to the high school curriculum
and is age appropriate.
2. The film's use as an instructional material has been reviewed and approved by the building principal.
3. Parent/guardian will receive written notice prior to showing the film to students. The parent notice will
contain an accurate description of the contents of the film, its educational value, and reason the film
was rated "R". The decision of the parent/guardian will be respected. If the parent does not wish to have
the student view the film, the teacher should be notified and an alternate learning experience will be
provided.
No films having a rating of N-17 or X shall be shown to students at any level in the District.
Approved/Adopted: July 13, 2009 |
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