Based on a recommendation from Supt. Don Schrader’s Instructional
Materials Review Committee, he has decided to allow the book “The
Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” to remain in use in
the School District.
Following a closed session, the committee reported that it voted
to keep the book, with consideration of grade level appropriateness
and informed consent of the parents.
Under the policy, the committee could take no action, remove all
or part of the instructional materials from the school environment or
limit the educational use of the challenged materials.
The committee voted to limit the educational use of the challenged
material, Schrader said.
The decision served as a recommendation to the superintendent.
Because it was a committee reporting to the superintendent the
details of the vote could be kept confidential, Schrader said.
“I will follow the recommendation and require informed consent
and use the expertise of our educators to define ‘grade-level
appropriate,’” Schrader said.
The School Board will consider the book during its next regular
meeting, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on March 10.
“One of the complainants has requested the matter be brought to
the next regularly scheduled board meeting,” Schrader said. “That
would be in March.”
The Materials Review Committee, which also has been called the
reconsideration committee, met on Feb. 12 to consider five requests
for reconsideration of instructional materials, “Diary of a
Part-Time Indian,” used in the eighth-grade language arts classes.
“According to the policy when there is an objection to
materials, ‘any resident of the district may raise objection to the
materials used in class,’” Schrader said. “In this case, an
objection to supplementary materials was filed.
As a result of the process, the committee members were given
copies of the materials and other correspondence and listened to
testimony from community members, parents, students and educators.
Complainants, parents and community members who objected to the
use of the book were primarily concerned about the language and
vulgarity in the novel. They also were concerned about the potential
ostracism and separate treatment for students whose parents did not
sign a permission slip. Those students are reading alternate
materials and leaving the classroom during discussions about the
“Diary of a Part-Time Indian.”
Teachers, students and supporters said the book has strong
educational value, with wide-ranging discussions of the books themes,
and that it makes eighth-grade students want to read like no other
piece of literature.