Materials Review

The Board of Education, as the governing body of the District, is legally responsible for all educational materials utilized within the instructional program of the Appleton Area School District (AASD). The selection of educational materials is delegated to the professionally trained and certified personnel employed by the school system. The responsibility for coordinating and maintaining qualitative standards in the selection process rests with the Assessment, Curriculum, and Instruction (ACI) department.

In Wisconsin, it is the role of the local school board to establish written policies, procedures, and rules for the operation of the schools within the District, to adopt textbooks, and to provide adequate materials and texts which reflect the cultural diversity and pluralistic nature of the American society. 

As part of the adoption process, AASD staff members, students, families, and residents are provided with the opportunity to examine and contribute feedback on the recommended instructional materials. The feedback collected is taken into consideration by the committee to determine the final list of instructional materials that will be recommended to the AASD Board of Education.

Materials Review Process

  1. Materials are selected by the relevant Assessment, Curriculum, and Instruction (ACI) department.
  2. A public review window of 30 days is determined, communicated to the public, and then implemented.
  3. Materials are placed at two locations for public review and, when made available by the publisher, online for preview.
  4. Feedback forms are available online and at both review locations.
  5. Materials review information is posted to the Latest News section of the district website. Families are notified through the Family Message that is emailed to all AASD families.

Materials Review Locations

AASD Leadership Center 
131 E. Washington Street, 
Suite 1A Appleton, WI 54911

The Leadership Center is open Monday - Thursday from 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and open Friday from 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

AASD Welcome Center
2701 N. Oneida St, Suite C3 
Appleton, WI 54911

The Welcome Center is open Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Educational Materials Review Committee
In the event that an adult resident or employee of the Appleton Area School District should object to a Board of Education adopted educational material and the objection is not satisfactorily addressed at the school level, the objection will be addressed by the AASD Educational Materials Review Committee. This committee is composed of citizens, parents, professional staff members, and students. The task of the Committee is to review the material in question and provide written recommendation(s) to the Superintendent of School regarding its continued use in the District. Please see policy 361.1 for more information.

Each spring AASD parents/guardians and community members are welcome to apply to serve on this committee to serve for a two-year term.

Library Media Materials Review Committee
In the event that an adult resident or employee of the Appleton Area School District should object to library media materials used in the educational program and the objection is not satisfactorily addressed at the school level, the objection will be addressed by the AASD Library Media Materials Review Committee. This committee is composed of citizens, parents, professional staff members, and students. The task of the Committee is to review the material in question and provide written recommendation(s) to the Superintendent of School regarding its continued use in the District. Please see policy 361.2 for more information.

Each spring AASD parents/guardians and community members are welcome to apply to serve on this committee to serve for a two-year term.

Parent/Guardian Access to Student Classwork
Canvas is a Learning Management System (LMS) used by our district in Early Childhood through 12th grade that serves as a digital classroom. Canvas allows teachers to manage content, record and measure learning, and communicate with all users. Students can connect with their teacher and peers, access activities and assignments, and receive feedback. Parents and guardians function as observers of the course, which allows them to view work pertaining to their individual student(s).

Parents and Guardians - Learn How to Use Canvas
Visit the AASD Canvas Observer Orientation for an overview of Canvas that will help you support your student to maximize their learning.


The District shall not discriminate in the selection and evaluation of instructional materials on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, gender identify, gender expression or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability. Discrimination complaints shall be processed in accordance with established procedures.