CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES | Administrative Procedures

2240 - CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES GENERAL INFORMATION

The Board reserves the right to review all materials which may be considered controversial.

Only issues included in the approved instructional programs and school activities may be discussed without prior review.

Staff shall not present controversial material or issues that is not directly or closely related to the subject area being taught.

The following procedures shall be followed when potential controversial issues are to be addressed in the instructional program and/or school activities.

When a controversial issue is not part of a course of study, it must be reviewed and approved by the school principal and appropriate District administrator prior to use in the instructional programs and/or activity.

The principal shall be provided with detailed instructional and support materials for examination that includes the following:
1. a description to the school principal detailing the purpose of the materials,
2. the materials to be used,
3. the grade location,
4. the length of the course, and
5. any credit value.
Before introducing a controversial issue to students, staff should consider the:
1. chronological and emotional maturity of the students;
2. appropriateness and timeliness of the issue as it relates to the course and the students;
3. extent to which they can successfully handle the issue from a personal standpoint; and
4. amount of time needed and available to examine the issue fairly.
When providing instructions related to a controversial issue, the following guidelines shall be utilized:
1. Staff shall provide adequate information to help the student objectively analyze and evaluate the issues using a critical thinking process to examine different sides of an issue without bias or prejudice and shall permit each student to arrive at his/her own conclusions.
2. Staff should encourage student views on issues, as long as the expression of those views is not derogatory, malicious, or abusive toward other students’ views or toward a particular group, nor should they reflect adversely upon persons because of their race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, religion, or any other basis prohibited by law.
3. Staff may not advocate their personal opinion or viewpoint. When necessary, the Superintendent or designee may instruct staff to refrain from sharing personal views in the classroom on controversial topics.
4. Students shall be informed of conduct expected during such instruction and the importance of being courteous and respectful of the opinions of others.

Revised 10/23/18