ACADEMIC FREEDOM
A major goal of education in a free society is to develop persons who can
think critically, understand their culture, live compassionately with
others, make sound decisions and live with the consequences of their
judgment. Public education in a pluralistic society must strive to present,
as objectively as possible, varied events, activities and perceptions
reflected in history, literature and every other source of mankind's thought
and expression. Teachers must take into account the relative maturity of
their students and the need for guidance and help in studying issues and
arriving at balanced views. All instruction will conform to adopted courses
of study.
The principle of academic freedom presupposes intellectual honesty on the
part of the person who exercises it and that he/she can and will
discriminate among facts relating to an issue. In expressing a personal
opinion, a teacher will make it known to students that the view is his/her
own and will not attempt to bring students to a commitment to that personal
viewpoint.
[Adoption date: June 21, 2001]
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