CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES IN THE CLASSROOM

CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES IN THE CLASSROOM

ag2240Adopted March 1, 2003

2240 - CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES IN THE CLASSROOM

The following guidelines are designed to assist teachers in the instruction of controversial issues, defined in Policy 2240, in the classroom:

  1. When a controversial issue is not part of a course of study, its use in the classroom must be approved by the principal.

  2. Before introducing a controversial issue, teachers should consider:

    1. the chronological and emotional maturity of the students;

    2. the appropriateness and timeliness of the issue as it relates to the course and the students;

    3. the extent to which they can successfully handle the issue from a personal standpoint.

  3. When discussing a controversial issue, the teacher may express his/her own personal position as long as s/he makes it clear that it is only his/her opinion. The teacher must not, however, bring about a single conclusion to which all students must subscribe.