Adopted: 03/16/2009

382

The School District of Prairie Farm

Teaching about Controversial Issues

The Board believes free discussion is the heart and soul of the democratic process. The Board realizes, however, that some topics of discussion may be of a controversial nature and may require special handling by the staff.

Teachers shall be free to discuss controversial issues in their classrooms in accordance with guidelines established by the administration. Additionally, teachers may teach comparative religion, but not proselytize a religious belief or teach lessons and require students to do activities about a religion. The following shall also apply when teaching about controversial issues:

a. Freedom to Select Materials

(1) Students should be advised of objectionable material when requesting

                  approval for reading a particular book.

(2) The right to reject certain books as unsuitable for written or oral report material is reserved to the professional staff.

b. Requests to have the school abstain from teaching a particular topic, or requests to remove a book from student use, must be presented in writing to the Pre-K-12 principal.

c. The classroom shall not be a forum for staff opinions, negotiations or other personal interests.

d. Issues must be included in and supported by the approved curriculum.

LEGAL REF.: Sections 115.28(31) Wisconsin Statutes

115.35

118.01(2)(d)2c

118.019(4)

20 U.S.C., Section 1232h (Federal Hatch Amendments)

PI 41, Wisconsin Administrative Code

CROSS REF.: 382 Rule, Guidelines for Teaching About Controversial Issues

333 Parent Rights and the Curriculum

411 Equal Educational Opportunities

871 Public Complaints about Instructional Materials