2240 - CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES
The Governing Board believes that the consideration of controversial issues has a legitimate place in the instructional program of the schools.
Properly introduced and conducted, the consideration of such issues can help students learn to identify important issues, explore fully and fairly all sides of an issue, carefully weigh the values and factors involved, and develop techniques for formulating and evaluating positions.
For purposes of this policy, a controversial issue is a topic on which opposing points of view have been promulgated by responsible opinion or is likely to arouse both support and opposition in the community.
The Governing Board shall permit the introduction and proper educational use of controversial issues provided that their use in the instructional program:
- is related to the instructional goals of the course of study and level of maturity of the students;
- does not tend to indoctrinate or persuade students to a particular point of view; and
- encourages open-mindedness and is conducted in a spirit of scholarly inquiry.
Controversial issues related to the program may be initiated by the students themselves provided they are presented in the ordinary course of classroom instruction and it is not substantially disruptive to the educational setting.
Controversial issues may not be initiated by a source outside the schools unless prior approval has been given by the principal or program manager.
When controversial issues have not been specified in the course of study, the Governing Board shall permit the instructional use of only those issues which have been approved by the Superintendent.
No classroom teacher shall be prohibited from providing reasonable periods of time for activities of a moral, philosophical, or patriotic theme. No student shall be required to participate in such activities if they are contrary to the religious convictions of the student or his/her parents or guardians.
The Governing Board acknowledges that it may not adopt any policy or rule respecting or promoting an establishment of religion or prohibiting any student from the free, individual, and voluntary exercise or expression of the student’s religious beliefs.
The Governing Board also recognizes that a course of study or certain instructional materials may contain content and/or activities that some parents find objectionable. If after careful, personal review of the program lessons and/or materials, a parent indicates to the school that either the content or activities conflicts with his/her religious beliefs or value system, the school shall honor a written request for his/her child to be excused from a particular class for specified reasons. The student, however, shall not be excused from participating in the course and shall be provided alternate learning activities during times of such parent-requested absences.
The Superintendent shall deal with controversial issues and with parental concerns about program content or the use of particular materials.
© Neola 2002