6145 - Controversial Speakers

Windsor Locks Board of Education

Manual of Policies, Regulations, and Bylaws

Section: INSTRUCTION Definition: POLICY

Title: Controversial Speakers Number: 6145

  Page: 1 of 1

Adopted: January 1975

Revised: September 1983

Replaces:

The perpetuation of the fundamental principles of American democracy requires the guarantee that there will be freedom for teachers and learners within the school to read, to listen, to speak, to assemble for rational discussion of controversial issues, to consider alternative viewpoints, and to reach informed judgments according to individual conscience. American public education has been characterized by a climate of academic freedom. Both the public and the teaching profession have shown marked loyalty to the principles of fair play, of working out one’s destiny in terms of facts and of seeking out the truth.

In dealing with controversial issues, opportunity may be provided for selected guest speakers to present varying or opposing viewpoints on such issues. To assure that an objective, balanced approach to the presentation of controversial matters is made, the following guidelines are established where the issue may clash with community customs and attitudes:

1. Questions or concerns regarding the presentation of controversial issues should be addressed priorityto the principal. Approval for the visitation of guest speakers must be given by the building principal.

2. The topic for study should be presented objectively by the teacher within a suitable timeframe andappropriate context for study, with provision for the guest speaker(s) as an integral type of activity.

3. Outside professional agencies and establishments may be used as resources for the presentation oftheir viewpoints provided that:

a. Whenever possible, all sides of the issue shall be presented by opposing agencies within asuitable timeframe.

b. The forum for such presentation shall be impartially and objectively structured, withconsideration given to equal time for preparation and presentation of viewpoints. Both leadinand follow-up time should be incorporated into the presentation.

c. The presentation by opposing agencies should be equitable in terms of literature made available, methods of addressing students (in person, telephone) and facilities utilized.

d. Opportunity shall be provided students to engage in a question and answer period with theparties presenting their viewpoints.

4. The use of resource people to present opposing viewpoints on controversial issues is delimited toauthorized representatives of advocate organizations.

5. The classroom is not a suitable forum for the presentation of opinions and judgments ofcontroversial issues by laymen since such presentations generally are subjective and tend to arouseemotions that may cloud the issues at hand.