Instructional materials are essential tools in the English language arts classroom. They allow students to interact with words, images, and ideas in ways that develop their abilities in multiple literacies such as reading, listening, viewing, thinking, speaking, writing, and technology. Because selection policies should reflect local interests and issues and should be consistent with other locally developed policies and curriculum documents, the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) provides no "boilerplate" to be used as a model by local schools. However, NCTE strongly recommends that English language arts teachers and school boards use the guidelines provided in this position statement to develop or review policies for inclusion of materials in English language arts programs. Sections include: (1) Scope of the Policy for Selection of Instructional Materials; (2) Criteria; (3) Connection to Educational Objectives; (4) Relevance to Student Needs; (5) Procedures for Selection of Instructional Materials; (6) Responsibility for Selection; (7) Selection Procedures; and (8) Opportunity for Informal Selection.