AR 6144 — CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES

Instruction AR 6144(a)

CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES

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

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.

2. The issue has a meaningful relationship to matters of concern to the students.

3. Available information about the issue is sufficient to allow alternative points of
view to be discussed and evaluated on a factual basis.

4. All sides of the issue are given a proper hearing, using established facts as
primary evidence.

5. The issue has points of view which can be understood and defined by the
students.

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.

7. Discussion or study of the issue is instigated by the students or by the
established curriculum, as long as it does not violate state or federal law (e.g.
pursuant to Mahmoud v. Taylor (2025), instruction inclusive of LGBTQ2+ content
shall require prior parental notification and afford parents/guardians the right to
opt their child out of instruction that conflicts with their sincerely held religious
beliefs).

8. The discussion does not reflect adversely upon persons because of their race,
sex, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, handicap, or occupation.

9. The oral or written presentation does not violate state or federal law (e.g. pursuant
to Mahmoud v. Taylor (2025), instruction inclusive of LGBTQ2+ content shall
require prior parental notification and afford parents/guardians the right to opt
their child out of instruction that conflicts with their sincerely held religious beliefs).

(cf. 6161.11 - Supplementary Instructional Materials)
 AR 6144(b)

CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES (cont.)

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

10. 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.

11. The discussion does not reflect adversely upon persons because of their race,
sex, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, handicap or occupation.

12. The oral or written presentation does not violate state or federal law.

13. When unsure of appropriateness of certain material or a proposed method of
presentation, the teacher shall request guidance and assistance from the
administrative staff.

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

Outside Speakers:

1. The principal shall give prior approval for the utilization of outside speakers to
present controversial issues.

2. When the speaker, by reputation, word, or example, might be regarded as
controversial, provision should be made for questioning or rebuttal by persons
of comparable skill and sophistication. This should take place immediately
following the presentation.

3. Scripts and/or written statements containing foul language or derogatory
comments regarding ethnic groups, religion or other areas may not be used.
When the possibility of this exists, material should be reviewed in advance.

Prohibited Speakers:

1. Advocates, by reputation, word, or example, of ideologies that seek to overthrow
our economic and political way of life and American institution and ideals.

2. Advocates, by reputation, word, or examples, of race hatred, or those who in
any way defame or belittle any race, religion, or ethnic group.

3. Advocates of sectarian religion, unless invited by the teacher to explain his/her
religion to a class studying comparative religion.
 AR 6144(c)

CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES (cont.)

4. Those speakers whose topics would not be related to the instructional purposes
of the classes, or to the purpose of the extracurricular or co-curricular activities.

5. Those speakers inappropriate to the maturity levels of the students involved.

Chino Valley Unified School District
Regulation approved: August 21, 1997
Revised: October 21, 2010
Revised: August 21, 2025