he North American Division coordinates the review and approval of secondary textbooks. The list of approved secondary textbooks is developed through peer review and upon recommendation by union secondary curriculum committees for subject areas assigned. Most subject area textbooks are reviewed every five years.

Rationale for Textbook List - It is important that the curriculum of each Adventist academy include secondary course offerings that are aligned with the beliefs and values of the church and accommodate the unique Adventist Christian worldview. Further, the compatibility of course offerings across the NAD and the utilization of common textbooks enhances Adventist education.

Textbook Selection - Administrators and teachers agree that the teacher who is as a specialist in his/her subject area is the best judge of the text-related materials to be used. This perspective is implemented through a peer review process utilizing current classroom teachers to review and recommend textbooks on the NAD Secondary Textbook List. Final approval is granted by the North American Division Secondary Curriculum Committee. Inasmuch as these are carefully selected instructional resources by teachers for teachers it is expected that all schools will use textbooks from the NAD Secondary Textbook List.

Textbooks That Contain Objectionable Material - In some subject areas selection of acceptable textbooks may result in some textbooks that contain material which is not fully aligned with the beliefs, values or world view of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Every attempt is made to select textbooks which provide worthwhile resources while reducing the amount of objectionable material. In no way should inclusion of a textbook on this list be construed to mean full unequivocal endorsement of the textbook by the selection committee or union/division offices of education. To maintain harmony in difficult areas, or in areas that might provide material that addresses moral, social, or spiritual issues, please consider using any or all of the following procedures:

1. Establish a faculty committee to study potential problem areas in subject areas.
2. Establish the practice of joint administrator-teacher decisions.
3. Provide for alternative learning opportunities for those students and parents who have personal convictions against certain assignments or materials.
4. Maintain communication with the school board and the parents regarding the curriculum in general and potential problem areas specifically.

Alternate Textbook Selections – Please work with the local Conference and Union Office of Education when wanting to adopt alternative textbooks.

Arne Nielsen

director

Arne P. Nielsen believes that the real object of education, through the work of the Holy Spirit, is to transform the lives of students and “restore in man the image of his Maker . . . promoting the development of body, mind, and soul.” As a lifelong Christian educator, Arne believes that all children have the right to reach their God-given potential. He believes that the best way to accomplish this is by relying on God to lead, building trust and buy-in from educators, developing instructional leaders at the school level, and creating a differentiated system that provides resources and support for educators to grow and flourish.

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