Adopted:          04/15/1991

Revised:          10/20/2008                                                                                          311

School District of Prairie Farm

Academic Freedom

The teacher should be free to think and express ideas, free to select and employ materials and methods of instruction, free from excessive pressures of authority, and free to act as a member of a professional association.  Such freedom should be exercised judiciously and prudently to the end that it promotes learning and creative thinking in students, and should be exercised within the context of the social values of the community.

Academic freedom is not absolute.  It should be exercised within the basic ethical responsibilities of the teaching profession.  These responsibilities include:

1. A commitment to the democratic tradition and its methods.
2. A concern for the welfare, growth and development of children.
3. The application of good taste and judgment in selecting and employing materials and methods of instruction.
4. Privileges granted within this policy shall not be in opposition to other board policies, statutory law, or case law.

Cross Ref.:       361.2, IIAC Library Materials Selection and Adoption