{ "_metadata": { "source": "https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Policy/ViewPolicy.aspx?S=36030397&revid=5sL3alGIUKTgIGMUtzuDZQ==", "scrapedAt": "2026-05-24T20:11:49.868Z", "method": "Playwright + Simbli ViewPolicy API scraper" }, "code": "6144", "title": "Controversial Issues", "type": "AR", "section": "6000", "lastRevised": "06/23/2010", "lastReviewed": "06/23/2010", "hasAttachment": false, "revid": "5sL3alGIUKTgIGMUtzuDZQ==", "contentHtml": "\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n

Controversial issues may be discussed in the classroom, provided that:

\n\n
    \n\t
  1. The issue is related to the course of study and provides opportunities for critical thinking, for developing tolerance, and for understanding conflicting points of view.
    \n\t 
    2. \n\t
  2. The issue has a meaningful relationship to matters of concern to the students.
    \n\t 
    3. \n\t
  3. Available information about the issue is sufficient to allow alternative points of view to be discussed and evaluated on a factual basis.
    \n\t 
    4. \n\t
  4. All sides of the issue are given a proper hearing, using established facts as primary evidence.
    \n\t 
    5. \n\t
  5. The issue has points of view which can be understood and defined by the students.
    \n\t 
    6. \n\t
  6. The teacher does not use his/her position to forward his/her own religious, political, economic or social bias. The teacher may express a personal opinion if he/she identifies it as such and does not express the opinion for the purpose of persuading students to his/her point of view.
    \n\t 
    7. \n\t
  7. Discussion or study of the issue is instigated by the students or by the established curriculum, but not by a source outside of the schools.
    \n\t 
    8. \n\t
  8. The discussion does not reflect adversely upon persons because of their race, sex, color, creed, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, handicap or occupation.
    \n\t 
    9. \n\t
  9. The oral or written presentation does not violate state or federal law.
    10. \n
\n\n

The Superintendent or designee shall have the authority to judge whether the above conditions are being met.

\n\n\n", "contentText": "Controversial issues may be discussed in the classroom, provided that:\n\n- The issue is related to the course of study and provides opportunities for critical thinking, for developing tolerance, and for understanding conflicting points of view.\n\n- The issue has a meaningful relationship to matters of concern to the students.\n\n- Available information about the issue is sufficient to allow alternative points of view to be discussed and evaluated on a factual basis.\n\n- All sides of the issue are given a proper hearing, using established facts as primary evidence.\n\n- The issue has points of view which can be understood and defined by the students.\n\n- The teacher does not use his/her position to forward his/her own religious, political, economic or social bias. The teacher may express a personal opinion if he/she identifies it as such and does not express the opinion for the purpose of persuading students to his/her point of view.\n\n- Discussion or study of the issue is instigated by the students or by the established curriculum, but not by a source outside of the schools.\n\n- The discussion does not reflect adversely upon persons because of their race, sex, color, creed, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, handicap or occupation.\n\n- The oral or written presentation does not violate state or federal law.\n\nThe Superintendent or designee shall have the authority to judge whether the above conditions are being met.", "footnotes": [ { "type": "State", "references": [ { "code": "Ed. Code 220", "description": "Prohibition of discrimination", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=220." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 48950", "description": "Speech and other communication", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=48950." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 51240", "description": "Excuse from instruction due to religious beliefs", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=51240." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 51500", "description": "Prohibited instruction or activity", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=51500." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 51510", "description": "Prohibited study or supplemental materials", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=51510." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 51511", "description": "Religious matters properly included in courses of study", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=51511." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 51513", "description": "Personal beliefs", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=51513." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 51530", "description": "Advocacy or teaching of communism", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=51530." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 51930-51939", "description": "California Healthy Youth Act", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayexpandedbranch.xhtml?tocCode=EDC&division=4.&title=2.&part=28.&chapter=5.6.&article=" }, { "code": "Ed. Code 60040", "description": "Selection of instructional materials", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=60040." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 60044", "description": "Prohibited instructional materials", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=60044." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 60045", "description": "Criteria for instructional materials", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=60045." } ] }, { "type": "Management Resources", "references": [ { "code": "Court Decision", "description": "Garcetti v. Ceballos (2006) 547 U.S. 410", "url": "https://www.govinfo.gov/#advanced" }, { "code": "Court Decision", "description": "Mayer v. Monroe County Community School Corporation (2007) 474 F.3d 477 (7th Cir.)", "url": "https://www.govinfo.gov/#advanced" }, { "code": "Court Decision", "description": "Johnson v. Poway Unified School District (2011) 658 F.3d 954", "url": "https://www.govinfo.gov/#advanced" }, { "code": "Website", "description": "CSBA District and County Office of Education Legal Services", "url": "https://legalservices.csba.org/" } ] } ], "crossRefs": [ { "code": "0410", "title": "Nondiscrimination In District Programs And Activities", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "1312.1", "title": "Complaints Concerning District Employees", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "1312.1", "title": "Complaints Concerning District Employees", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "1312.2", "title": "Complaints Concerning Instructional Materials", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "1312.2", "title": "Complaints Concerning Instructional Materials", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "1312.2-E(1)", "title": "Complaints Concerning Instructional Materials", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "1325", "title": "Advertising And Promotion", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "1325", "title": "Advertising And Promotion", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "4119.25", "title": "Political Activities Of Employees", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "4119.25", "title": "Political Activities Of Employees", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "4141.6", "title": "Concerted Action/Work Stoppage", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "4219.25", "title": "Political Activities Of Employees", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "4241.6", "title": "Concerted Action/Work Stoppage", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5022", "title": "Student And Family Privacy Rights", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5022", "title": "Student And Family Privacy Rights", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5121", "title": "Grades/Evaluation Of Student Achievement", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5121", "title": "Grades/Evaluation Of Student Achievement", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5131", "title": "Conduct", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5131.2", "title": "Bullying", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5131.2", "title": "Bullying", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5137", "title": "Positive School Climate", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5145.2", "title": "Freedom Of Speech/Expression", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5145.2", "title": "Freedom Of Speech/Expression", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5145.3", "title": "Nondiscrimination/Harassment", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5145.3", "title": "Nondiscrimination/Harassment", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5145.9", "title": "Hate-Motivated Behavior", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6115", "title": "Ceremonies And Observances", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6141", "title": "Curriculum Development And Evaluation", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6141.2", "title": "Recognition Of Religious Beliefs And Customs", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6141.2", "title": "Recognition Of Religious Beliefs And Customs", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6142.1", "title": "Sexual Health And HIV/AIDS Prevention Instruction", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6142.1", "title": "Sexual Health And HIV/AIDS Prevention Instruction", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6142.3", "title": "Civic Education", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6142.8", "title": "Comprehensive Health Education", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6142.8", "title": "Comprehensive Health Education", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6142.94", "title": "History-Social Science Instruction", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6143", "title": "Courses Of Study", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6143", "title": "Courses Of Study", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6145.5", "title": "Student Organizations And Equal Access", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6145.5", "title": "Student Organizations And Equal Access", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6145.8", "title": "Assemblies And Special Events", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6161.1", "title": "Selection And Evaluation Of Instructional Materials", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6161.1", "title": "Selection And Evaluation Of Instructional Materials", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6161.11", "title": "Supplementary Instructional Materials", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6163.1", "title": "Library Media Centers", "type": "AR" } ], "attachments": [] }