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Use of Videos and Films March 2016

Notice: This policy was reviewed, revised, and/or renamed. We provide this revision for historic purposes only. Please see our current policies and procedural directives.

This procedural directive was updated January 2023.

Criteria for Use of Videos, DVDs and Other Instructional Media

All use of videos and other audiovisual media shall comply with all copyright laws and regulations. Teachers or other staff members using video or audiovisual media shall be responsible for following all district procedures and state and federal laws regarding their use. Video or audiovisual media, if used, shall be an integral part of standards-based instruction. Use of personal streaming video subscriptions in the classroom shall be forbidden.

Albuquerque Public Schools shall not extend legal or insurance protection to any employee who violates copyright law or regulations.

In addition, for all  use of videos, DVDs, and other instructional media, consider the following:

  • Capacity of the video, DVD, or instructional media to support the curriculum.
  • Capacity to reach the personal interest level and ability of students.
  • Importance of the subject matter.
  • Age appropriateness using Motion Picture Association of America guidelines where applicable and reviews from other recognized sources.

Procedures for Using All Videos/DVDs and Other Instructional Media

  • Teachers or other staff members wishing to use a video/film must shall written permission from the principal prior to the planned showing.
  • A parent/guardian permission form including descriptive information about the video/DVD as well as instructional purpose is required if there is any doubt about the appropriateness of the video/DVD.
  • Videos/DVDs of student performances may be shown to students if they meet the instructional criteria listed above.  Any student participating in a filmed student performance shall have a signed video release form prior to the filming.
  • If a non-rated video or DVD has been approved by a review committee, the same video or DVD may be used in subsequent months or school years if the intended instructional use is the same as that presented to the original committee.  However, videos/DVDs used to support human sexuality and AIDS/HIV instruction shall be reviewed at least every other year or when significant changes are made in instructional delivery.  If the age group or lesson plan changes, the video/DVD shall be reviewed for intended context.

Additional Procedures for Use of Videos/DVDs Rated by the Motion Picture Association of America

The ratings used by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) shall be one consideration of several in connection with the other selection criteria. If using an MPAA rated video/DVD, the following additional guidelines must also be followed:

  • Parents/guardians shall receive one week advanced written notice when teachers plan to use commercial video/DVD recordings that are rated PG with elementary students, PG 13 with middle school students or R with high school students. Such notice shall include an accurate description of the contents and instructional purpose of the video/DVD recording and where it may be obtained/rented for parent/guardian review. Teachers shall notify the school’s principal at least 10 days in advance of showing a PG 13 or R rated video/DVD.
    • G - No signed permission form is necessary.
    • PG - A signed parental permission form is required for students under age 13. If requested for use in an elementary school, the principal will ask a committee to review the use of the video/DVD prior to granting permission.
    • PG 13 - A signed parental permission form is required for students under age 14. If requested for use in a middle school, the principal will ask a committee to review the use of the video/DVD prior to granting permission. (Use of PG 13 videos/DVDs is limited to middle and high schools.)
    • R - A signed parental permission form is required for all students. The principal will ask a committee to review the proposed video/DVD before granting permission. (Use of R-videos/DVDs is limited to high schools only.)
    • NC 17 - Use of videos/DVDs rated NC 17 by the Motion Picture Association of America is prohibited.

Video and Audiovisual Media Review Committees

In the situations described above, and in any other situation where there is a possibility that a video or other audiovisual material may be controversial or age inappropriate, a review committee shall be formed.

Elementary Committee: This committee shall be, at a minimum, comprised of the teacher requesting the use of the video/DVD, the appropriate grade level chairperson, a parent appointed by the school’s Instructional Council chairperson, and the principal or designee.

Middle School Committee: This committee shall be, at a minimum, comprised of the teacher requesting use of the video/DVD, the content area team leader, a parent appointed by the school’s Instructional Council chairperson, and the principal or designee.

High School Committee: This committee shall, at a minimum, be comprised of the teacher requesting use of the video/DVD, the appropriate department chairperson or team leader, another teacher from that department elected by department members, a parent appointed by the school’s Instructional Council chairperson, and the principal or designee.

The committee shall review the use of the video/DVD using criteria outlined in the preceding section, and shall in that context consider the material in terms of:

  • the instructional goals and learning outcomes hoped to be achieved through use of the video/DVD;
  • Local community standards;
  • and the availability of other instructional materials that could meet these goals.

The committee shall present recommendations to the principal. The principal shall make the final determination based on those recommendations.

Alternative Assignments

If it is established that a student or parent/guardian objects as a matter of principle to the viewing of a particular video/DVD, a meaningful alternative and related activity will be assigned without penalty or embarrassment to the student.

Alternative assignments shall consist of useful work related to valid instructional goals. They may not be punitive or burdensome in length of time or type of work required.

Parents may be asked to assist in designing an alternative assignment.

Administrative Position:             Chief Academic Officer

Department Director:                   Director of Curriculum and Instruction

References:

Legal Cross Ref.:                               

Board Policy Cross Ref.:                    IH - Instructional Program
                                                           IJ – Instructional Resources and Materials

Procedural Directive Cross Ref.:

Forms:

  • Parental Permission for Student Viewing of PG Videos and DVDs – Elementary School Level
  • Parental Permission for Student Viewing of PG 13 Videos and DVDS – Middle School Level
  • Parental Permission for Student Viewing of R Rated Videos and DVDs – High School Level
  • Parental Permission for Student Viewing of Non-Rated Videos and DVDs

Cross Ref.: Board Policy I.09: Teaching About Controversial or Sensitive Issues

NSBA/NEPN Classification: IJL

Revised:    May 1995
Revised
:    April 1996
Revised
:    May 1997
Revised
:    August 2004
Reviewed: March 9, 2016
Revised: March 18, 2016

This page was last updated on: December 9, 2009.