Policy AG 220ii - Controversial Issues
Adopted on February 7, 2019
Effective February 7, 2019
- For the purposes of these guidelines, and in accordance with RCBOE Policy 220, "controversial issues" shall refer generally to those topics "on which opposing points of views have been promulgated by responsible opinion and/or likely to arouse both support and opposition in the community."
- It shall be the responsibility of each teacher to notify his/her supervisor (usually the school principal) prior to instruction on or discussion of an issue that may be considered "controversial" in his / her classroom. In the event that a teacher is unsure of whether or not a topic may be considered "controversial," he / she should discuss this possibility with his / her supervisor prior to instruction on or discussion of the issue.
- It shall be the responsibility of each teacher, after meeting the responsibility in Guideline 2, to make the parent(s) or guardian(s) of each student that is to receive instruction on or participate in discussion of an issue that may be considered "controversial" aware of the potential controversy prior to such instruction or discussion. This awareness shall include the time and date on which such instruction or discussion is planned, the content standards and objectives guiding such instruction or discussion, and the source for such instruction or discussion from adopted primary or approved supplemental instructional materials.
- Any parent / guardian who wishes to have his / her student exempted from such instruction or discussion as in Guidelines 2 and 3 may do so by submitting such a request in writing to the teacher and school principal. Should a student be exempted from such instruction or discussion, the student shall be required to complete an alternative assignment so as to be given the opportunity to show mastery of the relevant content standards and objectives. Nothing shall prevent a student from being given the opportunity to show mastery of all content standards and objectives as prescribed by state policy.
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