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As a natural part of preparation for assuming an adult role in society, matters of a controversial nature will arise and may be dealt with as part of the student's learning experience. The Board of Education believes that the free, objective discussion of controversial issues is the heart of the process of representative government, freedom of speech, and free access to information which are among our nation's most cherished traditions.

The Board recognizes that controversial issues deal with matters about which there are varied levels of opposing views, biases, emotions and/or conflict. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the classroom teacher that he/she have guidelines in order to prepare and execute lessons that will be as objective as possible while considering the nature of the subject matter. It is important that students and staff recognize the following responsibilities:

1. In the classroom, matters of a controversial nature shall be handled as they arise in the normal course of instruction and not introduced for their own sake. Such issues shall be neither sought nor avoided.
2. When presenting various positions on a controversial issue, the teacher shall be responsible to ensure that such controversial issues are:

a. relevant to the course of study;
b. limited to the level of understanding and age group of the students in the class;
c. maintained within the bounds of objectivity and scholarship commonly accepted by the community and as interpreted by the Board by taking care to balance major views and assuring that as many sides of the issues as possible are presented in a fair manner, with no position being espoused by the teacher as the only one acceptable. The teacher shall approach classroom discussions in an impartial and unprejudiced manner and shall refrain from using the classroom to promote partisan and factional points of view.

3. When materials dealing with controversial topics are to be used, assigned or recommended, such materials must:

a. balance major views and provide as many sides of the issue as possible in a fair manner, with no position presented as the only one acceptable;
b. be appropriate to the maturity level of the students; and
c. not adversely affect the attainment of the district's instructional goals or result in substantial disruption of the normal operation of the classroom.

4. Before a guest speaker is permitted to address the students, approval must be granted by the Building Principal, who must be informed of the scheduling of all guest speakers at least three (3) days prior to their presentation.

Ref: Education Law §414
Hazelwood v Kuhlmeier, 484 US 260 (1988)
Tinker v Des Moines Independent Community School District, 393 US 503 (1969)
Board of Ed., Malverne UFSD v. Morgan, 3020-a panel decision; Howard C. Edelman, Esq., chairman (Feb. 2, 1990)


Matter of Morgan, 29 EDR 363 (1990)
Malverne v. Sobol (RJI # 01-90-ST2690) Sup. Ct., Albany County, G. Cobb, J.S.C., 4/1/91
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