6144

Instruction

Controversial Issues

Free to Learn – A Policy on Academic Freedom and Public Education

The school shall foster objective and scientific studies of controversial issues in an atmosphere free of partisanship, bias, prejudice, and passion.

In matters in which there are differences of opinion, the teacher shall not limit or control the judgment or thinking of students. The teacher shall foster the study of issues rather than teach a particular viewpoint.

Free discussion, free speech, and free access to information are essential to the democratic process.  Only through the study of controversial issues - political, economic, social, religious, and scientific - can our youth develop abilities needed for citizenship in our democracy. The right of the student to free discussion, free speech, and free access to relevant material in accordance with his/her maturity shall be the same as for all Americans.

Legal Reference:  Connecticut General Statutes

31-51q Liability of employer for discipline or discharge of employee on account of employee's exercise of certain constitutional rights.

Keyishian v. Board of Regents 385 U.S. 589, 603 (1967)

Academic Freedom Policy (adopted by Connecticut State Board of Education, 9/9/81)

Policy adopted: February 2, 2004

Instruction

Controversial Issues

The Seymour Board of Education, in accordance with its policy, requires the following for materials selected for its schools.

1.  Books and other reading matter shall be chosen for values of interest and enlightenment of all students in the community. A book shall not be excluded because of the race, nationality, or the political or religious views of the writer.

2.  Every effort will be made to provide material that presents all points of view concerning the problems and issues of our times, international, national and local; and books or other reading material of sound factual authority shall not be prescribed or removed from library shelves or classrooms because of partisan doctrinal approval or disapproval.

3.  Censorship of books shall be challenged in order to maintain the school’s responsibility to provide information and enlightenment. However, the following procedures will be followed when dealing with this issue.

a.  The final decision for controversial reading matter shall rest with the Board of Education after careful review and examination of the book or reading material by school officials or anyone else the Board may wish to involve.

b.  The Board recognizes the right of an individual parent to request that his child not have to read a given book provided a written request is made to the appropriate building principal.

c.  Once submitted, this request will be considered by a committee appointed by the Superintendent that will consist of faculty members, the administration, or his/her designee. This committee will be in the subject matter field of the book or material challenged and the committee’s decision will be rendered in writing. Appeals from the decision may be made through the Superintendent to the Board of Education for a final decision.

4.  It is the responsibility and right of teachers and librarians, collectively with the administration, to select reading materials which are carefully balanced to include various points of view on any controversial subject.

5.  Books for the school library and classroom use shall be examined to select those in which the presentation and the subject matter are suitable for the grade and the interest level at which they are to be used. They will be considered in relation to both the curriculum and to the personal interest of students and teachers.

Regulation approved:   February 2, 2004