I. E. Controversial Issues

---

One of the major goals of the West Warwick School System is the development of pupils for effective citizenship. The instructional program shall be developed to achieve this goal. It shall properly place major emphasis upon teaching our American heritage, the rights and privileges we enjoy as citizens and the citizenship responsibilities that must be assured in creating a better life commensurate with the principles stated in our Constitution. In training for effective citizenship, it is essential that pupils study controversial issues within the context of the subject area.

These issues arise out of gradual but inevitable social changes which our society continuously undergoes. While the teaching of these issues should be conducted in such a manner to prevent undue influence by the teacher for any point of view, the democratic solution of such critical questions can be realized only if there is freedom of speech, of press, of peaceable assembly, and of teaching. These freedoms protect the individual in his or her right to hear, to read, to discuss, and to reach judgements according to his or her conscience.

References

RI Gen. Laws § 16-22-2 Courses in history and government

See, Connick v. Myers, 461 U.S. 138 (1983)

See, Cynthia Waters, et al., Petitioners v. Cheryl R. Churchill, et al.

Policy adopted: 4/23/81