Opinion ID: 1843606
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Textbooks, Instructional Materials and Supplies

Text: All students in the state shall be provided with adequate textbooks and other instructional supplies for use in their education. As used herein, the term instructional supplies includes library books and media resources, science equipment, classroom furniture, audiovisual equipment, maps and globes, blackboards, art and music supplies, related aids and services, including adaptive devices and assistive technology devices and other educational materials. For textbooks to be adequate, every student must have his or her own copy of any assigned textbook of reasonable age and condition. Schools shall be free to use money allocated for textbooks for other appropriate kinds of books, software and other technology-related materials, and other curricular materials. In meeting these requirements, the State shall provide an infusion of catch-up funds to bring school systems up to a level of adequacy in all of these areas. Priority shall be given to those schools and school systems with the greatest needs. Defendants shall submit a plan for the distribution of catch-up funds within 12 months of the date of this Court's order. Parties shall have 60 days from the submission of the plan to file objections with the Court. It should not be necessary for teachers to make personal expenditures to provide books and instructional materials and supplies. Fundraising shall not be conducted during the school day.