Assembly Bill No. 217–Assemblymen Cegavske, Humke, Hettrick, Chowning, Mortenson, Claborn, Gustavson, Angle, McClain, Von Tobel, Berman, Beers, Nolan, Brower, Leslie, Goldwater, Collins, Price, Parks, Dini, Carpenter, Gibbons, Tiffany, Koivisto, Perkins and Manendo

February 11, 1999

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Joint Sponsors: Senators Jacobsen, Amodei, Care, Coffin, James, Mathews, O’Donnell, Porter, Titus, Washington and Wiener

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Referred to Committee on Education

 

SUMMARY—Provides for public review of supplemental textbooks used in public schools. (BDR 34-1086)

FISCAL NOTE: Effect on Local Government: No.

Effect on the State or on Industrial Insurance: No.

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EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted. Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

 

AN ACT relating to education; requiring that parents and members of the general public be afforded an opportunity to review supplemental textbooks for use in the public schools; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

1-1 Section 1. Chapter 390 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto a

1-2 new section to read as follows:

1-3 1. A public school shall afford the parents and legal guardians of

1-4 pupils who are enrolled in the school and other members of the general

1-5 public an opportunity to:

1-6 (a) Review, at least annually, the supplemental textbooks proposed for

1-7 instructional use in the public school; and

1-8 (b) Submit written comments regarding the supplemental textbooks

1-9 proposed for instructional use.

2-1 2. A public school shall not use a supplemental textbook unless the

2-2 school has afforded the parents and legal guardians of pupils who are

2-3 enrolled in the school an opportunity to review the supplemental textbook

2-4 and submit written comments regarding the supplemental textbook.

2-5 3. The board of trustees of each school district shall ensure that the

2-6 public schools within the school district afford parents and legal

2-7 guardians of pupils who are enrolled in the public schools and other

2-8 members of the general public an opportunity to review the supplemental

2-9 textbooks proposed for instructional use in accordance with subsection 1.

2-10 4. This section does not prohibit a charter school from using

2-11 supplemental textbooks other than those made available for review

2-12 pursuant to this section.

2-13 Sec. 2. NRS 390.005 is hereby amended to read as follows:

2-14 390.005 As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise:

2-15 1. "Basic textbook" or "textbook" means any medium or manual of

2-16 instruction containing a presentation of the principles of a subject and used

2-17 as a basis of instruction.

2-18 2. "Supplemental textbook" means any medium or material ,

2-19 including, without limitation, software for computers and videotapes,

2-20 used to reinforce or extend a basic program of instruction.

2-21 3. A basic or supplemental textbook becomes "unserviceable" [when]

2-22 after 4 years have elapsed since its removal from the adopted list.

2-23 Sec. 3. NRS 390.230 is hereby amended to read as follows:

2-24 390.230 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, the

2-25 textbooks adopted by the state board must be used in the public schools in

2-26 this state, and no other books may be used as basic textbooks.

2-27 2. This section does not prohibit:

2-28 (a) The continued use of such textbooks previously approved until they

2-29 become unserviceable.

2-30 (b) The use of supplemental textbooks [purchased] selected by a school

2-31 district with the approval of the superintendent of public instruction.

2-32 (c) After approval by the state board, the temporary use of textbooks for

2-33 tryout purposes.

2-34 (d) A charter school from using textbooks other than those adopted for

2-35 use by the state board.

2-36 3. The superintendent of public instruction shall not grant his

2-37 approval for the purposes of paragraph (b) of subsection 2 unless the

2-38 school district submits proof that the public schools within the school

2-39 district comply with the requirements of section 1 of this act.

2-40 4. Any school officer or teacher who violates the provisions of this

2-41 chapter, or knowingly fails to follow the regulations of the state board

2-42 relating to the use of textbooks shall be punished by a fine of not more than

2-43 $250.

3-1 [4.] 5. All superintendents, principals, teachers and school officers are

3-2 charged with the execution of this section.

3-3 Sec. 4. This act becomes effective on July 1, 1999.

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