BP 6144
Instruction
Controversial Issues
The Governing Board
believes that students should have opportunities to discuss controversial
issues which have political, social or economic significance and which the
students are mature enough to investigate and address. The study of a
controversial issue should help students learn how to gather and organize
pertinent facts, discriminate between fact and fiction, draw intelligent
conclusions and respect the opinions of others.
The Board expects teachers
to exercise caution and discretion when deciding whether or not a particular
issue is suitable for study or discussion in any particular class. Teachers
should not spend class time on any topic which they feel is not suitable for
the class or related to the established course of study.
The Board also expects
teachers to ensure that all sides of a controversial issue are impartially
presented, with adequate and appropriate factual information. Without promoting
any partisan point of view, the teacher should help students separate fact from
opinion and warn them against drawing conclusions from insufficient data. The
teacher shall not suppress any student's view on the issue as long as its
expression is not malicious or abusive toward others.
Teachers sponsoring guest
speakers shall either ask them not to use their position or influence on
students to forward their own religious, political, economic or social views or
shall take active steps to neutralize whatever bias has been presented.
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
51500
Prohibited instruction or
activity
51510
Prohibited study or
supplemental materials
51511
Religious matters properly
included in courses of study
51530
Prohibition and definition re
advocating or teaching communism with intent to indoctrinate
51550 Sex education courses
60040
Portrayal of cultural and
racial diversity
60044
Prohibited instructional
materials
60045
Required to be accurate,
objective, current, and suited to needs and comprehension at respective grade
levels
Updated:
Revised: