Teaching Controversial Issues

Code No.: 606.7R1
TEACHING CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES
A “controversial issue” is a topic of significant academic inquiry about which substantial groups of
citizens of this community, this state or this nation hold sincere, conflicting points of view.
It is the belief of the board that controversial issues should be fairly presented in a spirit of honest
academic freedom so that students may recognize the validity of other points of view but can also learn
to formulate their own opinions based upon dispassionate, objective, unbiased study and discussion of
the facts related to the controversy.
It is the responsibility of the instructor to present full and fair opportunity and means for students to
study, consider and discuss all sides of controversial issues including, but not limited to, political
philosophies.
It is the responsibility of the instructor to protect the right of the student to study pertinent controversial
issues within the limits of good taste and to allow the student to express personal opinions without
jeopardizing the student’s relationship with the teacher.
It is the responsibility of the teacher to refrain from advocating partisan causes, sectarian religious
views, or selfish propaganda of any kind through any classroom or school device; however, an
instructor will not be prohibited from expressing a personal opinion as long as students are encouraged
to reach their own decisions independently.
The board encourages full discussion of controversial issues in a spirit of academic freedom that shows
students that they have the right to disagree with the opinions of others but that they also have the
responsibility to base the disagreement on facts and to respect the right of others to hold conflicting
opinions.
Approved
Reviewed 11/15/99
Reviewed 2/16/04
Reviewed 1/5/09
Revised 3/7/16