The board believes students should have an opportunity to reach their own decisions and develop their own beliefs about conflicting points of view. Academic freedom is the opportunity of licensed employees and students to study, investigate, present, interpret, and discuss facts and ideas relevant to the subject matter of the classroom. The expression of academic freedom must be consistent with the maturity and intellectual and emotional capacities of the students.
It is the responsibility of the licensed employees to refrain from advocating partisan causes, sectarian religious views, or biased positions in the classroom. Licensed employees are not discouraged from expressing personal opinions as long as students are aware it is a personal opinion and students are allowed to reach their own conclusions independently.
It is the responsibility of the principal to ensure academic freedom is allowed but not abused in the classroom.
Adopted: 3/99
Reviewed: 6/11; 6/12; 10/13; 4/15; 1/18; 2/21; 2/24
Revised: 7/03
Related Policy: 602.1
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): §§ 279.8; 280.3, .6
IASB Reference: 603.09