Section (6000) Instruction
Policy Name Academic Freedom
Policy Number 6140.11
Date Approved 10/10/1989
Date Revised 01/13/2003
Date Revised  
Date Revised  
Date Revised  
Policy Free to Learn

It is the policy of the Board of Education that teachers, school administrators, librarians, and school media specialists are free to select instructional and research materials that are consistent with the district's curriculum and which are appropriate to the maturity level of their students. Such selection shall not be based solely on the personal, social or political beliefs of teachers, school administrators, librarians, community members of school board members.

While parents have the right to affect their own children's education, this right must be balanced against the right other parent's children have to a suitable range of educational experiences. Community members should be encouraged and made aware of their rights to voice their opinions about school practices and programs in an appropriate administrative forum. The Plainville Board of Education encourages informed community participation in the shared work of sustaining and improving our public schools.

Finally, the Plainville Board of Education affirms that community members and school personnel should acknowledge together that the purpose of public education is the pursuit of knowledge and the preparation of our children for responsible citizenship in a society of respect for difference and shared freedom.